Doos behorend bij een bronzen penning ter ere van vijfig jaar Rijksmuseum Amsterdam 1935

This is the box for a bronze medal commemorating the Rijksmuseum's 50th anniversary, designed by Dirk Bus. What does it mean to celebrate an institution? This box, dating from around 1935 in the Netherlands, represents more than just a container; it embodies the cultural value placed on the museum as a social institution. Museums like the Rijksmuseum serve as gatekeepers of cultural heritage, shaping national identity and historical narratives. The simple design and durable material suggest a sense of permanence and authority, reflecting the museum's role in preserving and presenting a curated version of Dutch history. Understanding this object requires us to look at the museum's history: its formation, its collections, and its role in Dutch society. What stories does it tell? Whose voices are included or excluded? By exploring the museum's archives and exhibition histories, we gain a deeper understanding of this box and the cultural values it represents.