Vijfentwintigjarig bestaan van de vereniging Liefdadigheid naar Vermogen te Amsterdam 1896 1896

This bronze medal was designed by Ludwig Jünger in 1896 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of a charitable organization in Amsterdam. Cast bronze is an interesting material here. On the one hand, it belongs to a long tradition of state commemoration. On the other hand, it is very common, associated with everyday objects like plumbing fittings. Here, the die-stamping process would have been used to create a sharp impression of the design onto the medal. On one side, an allegorical figure of charity crowns a kneeling figure. The reverse is inscribed with the organization's name, surrounded by floral motifs. Although this was a commemorative artwork, made using relatively mechanical means, it is inextricably linked with the social issues of labor, wealth, and power. It reminds us of the material conditions that allow for acts of charity, and the systems of production that create both wealth and poverty. By understanding these contexts, we can appreciate the medal not just as a symbol of philanthropy but also as a reflection of broader social dynamics.