Legaat van J.H. Hoeufft ter bevordering van de beoefening der Latijnse poezie 1843 - 1844

This silver medal, by David van der Kellen, commemorates J.H. Hoeufft's legacy to promote Latin poetry. At first glance, the coin’s circular form draws us to the two figures dominating the composition on one side. Observe the draped figures in classical garb; one, presumably a poet, being crowned by the other, a muse perhaps. The texture and muted tone of the metal flattens the forms. This simplification encourages a focus on the figures’ gestures and the implied narrative of honour and artistic achievement. The Latin inscription encircling the figures anchors the medal within a tradition of classical learning and patronage. The choice of Latin, a language of enduring intellectual prestige, suggests the legacy’s intent: to maintain the importance of classical literary forms. Consider how this medal, through its form and iconography, functions as a symbolic object, connecting the act of artistic creation with themes of legacy, honour, and the enduring power of classical ideals. It embodies not just an aesthetic purpose, but also a commitment to the values embedded in Latin poetry.