Herdenking van de oprichting van de stad Bern (ca 1742) 1745

Around 1742, Jean Dassier created this silver medal to commemorate the founding of the city of Bern. Dassier was a prominent medalist, working during a period where commemorative medals served as potent symbols of civic pride and identity. One side presents a woman, a personification of the Republic of Bern, holding symbols of justice, standing next to symbols of prosperity and vigilance, and the other depicts the legend of Berthold IV killing the bear who then became the symbol for Bern. These images helped construct and reinforce ideas about the republic’s values and origins. The design of the medal employs allegorical figures, which were common visual tools used to embody abstract ideas, like liberty, justice, or civic virtue. However, in this context, they also functioned to create a shared, idealized identity for the citizens of Bern. Medals like these played a role in shaping collective memory and social cohesion. They offer insight into how communities understand and present themselves, reflecting both the values they uphold and the stories they tell about their past. They provide a tangible connection to history.