Wolter Jan Gerrit Bentinck, gevallen in de slag bij Doggersbank Possibly 1781 - 1788

Editor: This striking silver medal, "Wolter Jan Gerrit Bentinck, fallen in the battle at Dogger Bank," probably dating from 1781-1788 and currently residing in the Rijksmuseum, is quite captivating. I’m drawn to the weightiness of the commemoration, particularly how it encapsulates grief through such formally designed symbolism. What do you see when you look at it? Curator: The weightiness, as you call it, is indeed key. Medals like these are potent carriers of cultural memory. Observe the neoclassical elements, the precise engraving and the careful arrangement of symbols, they speak of a desire to ennoble the event, to transform individual tragedy into a moment of national significance. The trophies and naval imagery are important in conveying military honor. Does anything specific strike you about the objects depicted on either side? Editor: I notice the urn on one side and the figure on the other. Is there a contrast being presented? Curator: Precisely! The urn traditionally represents mourning and remembrance, while the figure embodies virtue or fame. The combination underscores the intent: not just to lament Bentinck's death but to elevate his sacrifice as an act of heroism, worthy of emulation. What feelings does it stir when viewing the paired images together? Editor: Seeing them juxtaposed… the personal loss is acknowledged, but almost immediately sublimated to serve a larger narrative of patriotic duty. Curator: That is the core tension of this medal and so many similar works. The imagery encourages a public performance of grief filtered through a lens of political ideology. Editor: It's amazing how much history and emotion can be packed into such a small object. I hadn’t considered the interplay between grief and national narrative. Curator: It invites contemplation on the enduring power of symbols in shaping our understanding of the past. And perhaps our present.