Christiaan IV en Frederik, paltsgraven van de Rijn, hertogen van Beieren verlaten de Hogeschool te Leiden 1739

This silver medal was made by Georg Wilhelm Vestner to commemorate Christiaan IV en Frederik, paltsgraven van de Rijn, hertogen van Beieren leaving the Hogeschool te Leiden. The medal captures a moment of transition for these noblemen, but it also symbolizes the values and expectations placed upon individuals of high social standing in the 18th century. On one side, we see the profiles of Christian and Frederik, their features idealized, embodying status through portraiture. The reverse side features a seated female figure, likely an allegorical representation of wisdom or the arts, set against a backdrop that includes the university. Vestner’s work speaks to how education was viewed as a cornerstone of power and prestige. The medal creates a narrative around the idea of learned individuals ready to assume their roles in society. The weight and feel of the silver underscore the gravity of their responsibilities and the enduring impact of their education. Ultimately, this medal is a material embodiment of the intertwining of personal identity, social expectation, and the pursuit of knowledge in the 1700s.