Watersnoodramp, penning uitgereikt voor bewezen diensten, ter ere van Willem III, koning der Nederlanden 1855

This is a medal commemorating the Watersnoodramp, or great flood, created by David van der Kellen. These medals were awarded to those who provided aid during the catastrophic North Sea flood of 1855, which devastated the Netherlands. They embody the collective trauma and resilience of a nation facing natural disaster. We see an interplay of power, class and community: the medal bears the image of King Willem III, representing the monarchy's role in the relief efforts. The medals would have been given to citizens, from all walks of life, who contributed to the rescue and recovery. These medals underscore the importance of solidarity in times of crisis and become symbols of shared humanity and the will to rebuild. They evoke a sense of both loss and hope, memorializing the victims while honoring the survivors and their acts of service.