Droogmaking van de Haarlemmermeer, ter ere van Willem III, koning der Nederlanden 1853

Curator: This is the "Droogmaking van de Haarlemmermeer, ter ere van Willem III, koning der Nederlanden," a medal made in 1853 by Johan Philip Menger. It’s currently held in the Rijksmuseum. Editor: It's such an intricate object! It reminds me a lot of old coins and royal seals, all very detailed and... somewhat self-important. What do you make of its composition? Curator: Indeed. The medal operates on several visual planes. Consider the use of allegory: the winged figure transforming swamp to arable land and the portrait of Willem III are distinct visual and symbolic elements that function in relation to one another. Are you struck by the interplay between the realistic portrayal of the king versus the symbolic representation of land reclamation? Editor: That contrast is interesting! The portrait feels grounded, while the angel-like figure almost seems to be reaching for something beyond the physical world. Curator: Precisely! The realism of the portrait offers an almost documentary, or verifiable, depiction while the allegory provides aspirational character, which are further enhanced by light, contrast, and fine relief carving across both faces. Editor: So the juxtaposition of the "real" with the symbolic elevates the land reclamation to an almost divine accomplishment, or at least, divinely sanctioned? Curator: I would say so. It is a fascinating, tiny world isn't it? What visual element do you think ties the portrait and the angel side together most? Editor: The border around the edge of both. All the lettering gives it a really contained and intentional frame that holds all of it together, tying them to the material object. Curator: A fine point! I'm glad that our analysis gives an indication of the function of each design and their relation to the whole. Editor: I've learned a lot today about looking more closely at the interplay of the symbolic and the real, especially in something so small!