Joseph L.B. de Jacovin, natuuronderzoeker 1836

This medal of Joseph L.B. de Jacovin, naturalist, was created by Joseph Bernsee. Notice how Bernsee’s design divides the medal's surface into two distinct yet related sides. One side presents a profile portrait of Jacovin, framed by his name and profession. The other side features an allegorical scene with figures and Roman numerals. The medal employs the visual language of Neoclassicism, characterized by its clean lines, balanced composition, and idealized forms. The portrait of Jacovin is rendered with careful attention to detail. On the reverse side, the figures are gracefully posed, contributing to the medal's overall sense of harmony and order. The medal’s circular form invites a continuous engagement with its imagery, suggesting an infinite loop of observation and interpretation. The medal challenges us to examine the interplay between image and text, representation and abstraction, in our understanding of both the individual and the broader cultural values they embody.