Tentoonstelling van Nederlandsche en koloniale nijverheid Arnhem, 1879 1879

This bronze medal was designed by Noach van der Waals for the 1879 Arnhem Exhibition of Dutch and Colonial Industry. On one side, a Dutch woman stands next to a Javanese man, symbolizing the Netherlands’ colonial power over Java. The Dutch woman, draped in classical robes, holds a caduceus, representing commerce and industry. The Javanese man, dressed in traditional clothing, carries what appears to be a stalk of rice. This juxtaposition highlights the gendered and racial power dynamics inherent in colonial relationships. While the woman represents the civilizing force of the Netherlands, the man embodies the resources and labor extracted from the colony. This medal tells a story of Dutch national pride intertwined with the exploitation of its colonial possessions. What emotions does this piece stir in you? Does it evoke a sense of national pride, or does it prompt reflection on the legacy of colonialism and its impact on identity and culture?