Verdediging van de citadel van Antwerpen, ter ere van Chasse 1832

This silver medal, whose maker is unknown, commemorates the defense of the citadel of Antwerp. It serves as a historical artifact that encapsulates the complexities of 19th-century European power struggles and national identities. On one side, we see a portrait of David Hendrik Chassé, the Dutch general who defended the citadel against Belgian forces during the Belgian Revolution of 1830. On the other side, the bombed citadel. The medal then becomes a lens through which we can examine the construction of national heroes and the justification of military actions. It prompts us to consider the perspectives of those whose lives were affected by the conflict. The citizens of Antwerp, for example, experienced the siege as a period of intense violence and disruption. As such, this piece is an assertion of Dutch military prowess that is at odds with the painful memories of Belgian citizens.