Tentoonstelling in de Planten- en Dierentuin te Batavia 1875 1875

This is a silver medal by David van der Kellen, created in 1875 for the ‘Exhibition in the Plant and Zoo in Batavia’. The medal serves as a window into the complex relationship between the Netherlands and its colony, present-day Jakarta, during a period of intense colonial activity. The artwork is divided into two sides. One side depicts a classical, draped figure amidst tropical vegetation, symbolizing the introduction of Western knowledge and control over the natural world. The other side bears an inscription surrounded by a wreath, commemorating the exhibition. The medal reflects the colonial gaze, framing the exoticized landscape through the lens of European progress and domination. It embodies the complicated intersection of science, commerce, and colonial power. While celebrating botanical achievements, it glosses over the exploitation and displacement inherent in colonial expansion. It reminds us to critically examine the power dynamics embedded within seemingly celebratory historical objects.