Ontwerpen voor drie medaillons: Vrijheid, Gelijkheid en Broederschap 1752 - 1819

Curator: Looking at these delicate pencil drawings by Jurriaan Andriessen, dating from the late 18th century, titled “Designs for three medallions: Freedom, Equality, and Brotherhood,” I am struck by how current these principles still feel. What's your initial impression? Editor: I'm immediately getting a neo-classical vibe. It's all so...stiff, isn't it? The allegorical figures, the geometric forms… They feel a little forced, a bit academic. Makes me think about performative politics, honestly. Curator: Absolutely. Andriessen was working within the Neoclassical movement, drawing inspiration from antiquity. The themes resonate strongly with the Enlightenment ideals then circulating. We should consider, too, the French Revolution's impact on how these concepts of "freedom", "equality" and "brotherhood" took hold throughout Europe, and specifically here in the Netherlands. Editor: It’s fascinating how artists tried to visualize such abstract ideas. Freedom is literally a woman holding a torch – it's kind of on the nose, right? But then again, there's a childlike purity to that approach that tugs at my heartstrings. And look at the composition: it’s pretty traditional with these central figures. Curator: The use of allegory allows for broad appeal while also encoding deeper layers of meaning specific to its historical moment. Each medallion is essentially a visual argument that participates in ongoing dialogues regarding individual and collective rights. Also, consider the deliberate act of producing drawings versus finished medals. Are these initial blueprints of national aspirations? Editor: True, and this pencil sketch quality, rather than a full painting or a printed medal, invites contemplation. Almost as if to say, 'these are ideals still in progress...' The brotherhood medallion—the awkward embrace! Maybe universal brotherhood needs a little workshopping! It speaks volumes about the difficulties inherent in those concepts. Curator: I agree. By focusing on their conceptual genesis, these designs serve as important historical markers revealing not just artistic choices, but the evolution of shared socio-political dreams. Editor: Well, it certainly makes you think about what freedom, equality and brotherhood really mean… It hits harder when rendered as sketches. The rawness! It stays with you. Curator: Indeed, providing a powerful snapshot of aspirations and anxieties that still resonate with us today.