Matthieu Ign. van Bree, Directeur de l'Académie d'Anvers 1843

This bronze medal portraying Matthieu Ign. van Bree, Director of the Antwerp Academy, was created by Laurent Joseph Hart in the 19th century. Medals such as these were often commissioned to celebrate public figures and commemorate their contributions to society. This medal is a prime example of the institutional power and social function of art during that time. On one side, we see a portrait of van Bree, emphasizing his individual importance, while the other side depicts symbols of the arts and sciences, highlighting his role in promoting those fields. Made in Belgium, a region with a rich artistic and academic tradition, this piece reflects the values and priorities of the 19th-century art world, and gives us a look at the ways in which institutions like the Antwerp Academy shaped artistic production and reception. To understand the medal better, one might research the history of the Antwerp Academy, and the social status of artists in 19th century Belgium.