Verdediging van Brussel, penning door de stad uitgereikt aan de gewapende burgerij 1815

Editor: Here we have a bronze medal from 1815, “Defense of Brussels, Medal Awarded by the City to the Armed Citizens,” created by an anonymous artist. It has such a stoic feel; even on a small scale, the raised relief has this remarkable presence. What stands out to you about this medal? Curator: Well, isn't it funny how history ends up shrunk down into something you can hold in your palm? It's like distilling a whole war into a souvenir. The weight of the metal itself echoes, doesn't it, the weight of the moment, the hopes and fears of those armed citizens? That neoclassical style is no accident either. They're drawing a straight line back to the glory of antiquity, saying, “We’re not just defending a city; we’re defending civilization itself!" But what do you make of the fact it was minted, presumedly, in celebration after the defense, and not during? Editor: Hmm, that does make me think a bit differently... maybe it’s less about fear and more about commemorating the strength they found within themselves. Almost like creating their own myth, in miniature. Curator: Exactly! It is as much about looking *back* at a moment and mythologizing it. A shared cultural story made tangible. Every time someone held this medal, they weren't just remembering a battle; they were remembering their own bravery and resolve, too. See, a medal like this becomes more than metal; it becomes memory. Editor: That's such a good point! I came in thinking about grand narratives, but now I’m thinking more about individual stories, made to fit the whole. Thank you, that helps puts a clearer, almost brighter light on this piece for me!