Vierde eeuwfeest van de uitvinding van de boekdrukkunst 1823

This bronze medal, created by Joseph-Pierre Braemt, celebrates the fourth centenary of the invention of printing. An allegorical female figure stands powerfully, holding a torch aloft, symbolizing enlightenment and knowledge. At her feet, a kneeling figure receives this illumination. Consider the torch: an ancient symbol carried by Prometheus, who stole fire from the gods for humanity. Here, the torch signifies the spread of knowledge through the printed word. This motif echoes across centuries; from ancient Greek sculptures to modern monuments, the torch represents truth, hope, and progress. Its reappearance in this medal reveals a cyclical pattern: the torch, once a symbol of divine defiance, becomes a celebration of human innovation. The collective memory of enlightenment and progress informs our understanding of the printing press. It stirs deep-seated emotions and connects us to the universal human quest for knowledge, reminding us that symbols carry cultural memory.