Vijfenveertgste lustrum van de Universiteit van Utrecht 1861 1861

This bronze medal was created by Johan Philip Menger in 1861 to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the University of Utrecht. The piece invites us to consider the narrative of institutional pride in the context of 19th-century Dutch society. The allegorical figure of the goddess Utrecht, offers a laurel wreath to a bust of King William I. Note the classical imagery, which links the university to a lineage of knowledge and power. But who is included and excluded from this narrative? The medal embodies the values and aspirations of the University elite, while the stories and contributions of women and marginalized communities remain notably absent. As you observe the medal’s classical motifs, consider the deeper societal implications of such imagery, and whose voices were not part of this celebration.