Prijspenning van Prins Hendrik der Nederlanden 1902 1902

This is a bronze prize medal of Prince Hendrik of the Netherlands, made in 1902 by Wilhelm Achtenhagen. The circular form, a common format for medals, invites a reading that moves around the coin's surface, engaging with the play of relief and intaglio. On one side, we observe the profile of Prince Hendrik, encircled by his title. The use of a profile is a historical reference to classical antiquity, invoking ideas of leadership and virtue through established visual codes. Turn the medal and an allegorical scene unfolds: a winged figure inscribes a blank tablet, situated beside steps and heraldic shield against a backdrop of lush vegetation. The tablet’s emptiness, framed by the sculpted foliage, becomes a site of potential meaning, hinting at the values or achievements worthy of record. Notice the medal’s singular bronze tone. The materiality of bronze, with its capacity to age and develop a patina, contributes to the medal's aura, suggesting not just a static representation but a dynamic object capable of carrying the weight of history and commemoration.