Oprichting van een standbeeld voor Joost van den Vondel te Amsterdam 1867

This medal commemorating the erection of a statue for Joost van den Vondel in Amsterdam was designed by Moses de Vries. Notice how the medal is divided into two distinct sides, each offering a unique visual and symbolic language. One side presents a detailed profile of Vondel, captured in a stark, classical style. The other side presents an allegorical scene, rendered in shallow relief. Here, the monument for Vondel is unveiled by a female personification of poetry, as signified by the swan. The column-like pedestal where the monument stands is adorned with inscriptions, functioning as a semiotic marker that bridges the visual with textual meaning. This medal challenges fixed meanings in its representation, inviting a re-interpretation of Vondel's legacy and Amsterdam's cultural values.