Leopold van Saksen-Coburg door het Nationaal Congres verkozen tot koning van België 1831

Editor: This medal, dating to 1831, commemorates Leopold van Saksen-Coburg's election as King of Belgium. I am immediately struck by the way it juxtaposes the classical imagery of the figure crowning Leopold's bust with the very concrete historical moment it represents. What symbols do you think are most telling here? Curator: Indeed, it's fascinating how this medal intertwines classical allegory with contemporary political reality. Notice the figure of Belgium herself, crowning Leopold – an embodiment of the new nation bestowing its legitimacy upon its chosen leader. She seems modeled after ancient goddesses. What does that suggest about how Belgium wished to be seen? Editor: That it wished to project an image of established power and legitimacy? Curator: Precisely! And what of the lion beneath the bust? Think of its traditional associations. Its inclusion reinforces the idea of strength, courage, and sovereignty. This imagery aimed to establish Belgium within the broader European context, claiming its place among established nations. Editor: And what about the Latin inscription on the reverse side, “Libertas Belgarum Asserta”? Curator: Ah, yes, "The freedom of the Belgians asserted." It underscores the central narrative of the Belgian Revolution – their hard-won independence and the establishment of a free state. So, the medal serves as both a historical document and a potent symbol of national identity. Editor: This has broadened my view on how symbols and political messages could work together. Curator: And understanding such pieces lets us consider not only historical moments, but the deliberate construction of national narratives and enduring symbolic vocabularies.