Overlijden van John Cockerill, industrieel te Seraing 1847

This bronze medal commemorates the death of John Cockerill, an industrialist, in Seraing. Cockerill's profile is rendered in a classical style with a starkly outlined profile, echoing the imagery of Roman emperors and enlightened thinkers of the 18th century. The medal as a form is itself laden with historical weight, evoking ancient Roman coins used to immortalize rulers and disseminate their image. Here, the tradition continues, adapting to honor an industrial pioneer. We can see how this desire for lasting commemoration transcends time. This act of immortalizing Cockerill through his image invites contemplation on how societies choose to remember their impactful figures. The cyclical nature of symbols is evident; while the context shifts, the need to preserve legacies persists, engaging our collective memory and subconscious understanding of history.