Oprichting van de Leeuw van Waterloo, ter ere van Willem I Frederik, koning der Nederlanden 1824

This silver medal, created by Joseph-Pierre Braemt, commemorates the erection of the Lion of Waterloo in honor of William I Frederick, King of the Netherlands. Observe the lion atop a stepped pedestal. The lion, a symbol of courage and royalty, stands guard, one paw resting on a globe, signifying dominion over the earth. We see this symbol echoed through time in the ancient world, such as the lion gate of Mycenae, symbolizing power. Later, it reappears in medieval heraldry, representing royal authority. Note how the stance and posture of the lion communicate a complex mix of emotions—pride, vigilance, and perhaps even a touch of melancholic reflection. The symbolic weight of the lion, laden with centuries of cultural significance, engages our collective memory, evoking deep-seated notions of strength and leadership. This symbol, ever-evolving, resurfaces across epochs, demonstrating how images migrate through time, continually adapting and accruing new layers of meaning, deeply affecting our subconscious.