Wet op het lager onderwijs aangenomen 1857

This medal, commemorating the adoption of the Wet op het lager onderwijs, or Primary Education Law, was made by Moses de Vries, and is a study in relief and symbolic representation. Notice how the figures are arranged across the medal's surface; a central male figure stands elevated, seemingly bestowing knowledge upon the kneeling children before him. De Vries uses the circular format to create a sense of continuous narrative and containment, framing the figures in a self-contained world. This not only focuses our attention but also subtly suggests a structured, perhaps even idealized, vision of society. The texture, achieved through meticulous engraving, adds depth and realism to the figures, contrasting with the smoother, more reflective background. Consider how the artist uses this contrast to direct the viewer's eye, emphasizing the central figures and the ideals they represent. Such manipulation of form and space invites us to consider how the artwork functions as a symbol, reinforcing particular cultural values and beliefs.