Francois Fagel, vijftig jaar griffier van de Algemene Staten 1735

This medal commemorating François Fagel, fifty years as registrar of the States General, was created by Nicolaas van Swinderen. Notice the allegorical figure of Justice seated beside Fagel's coat of arms. The scales she typically holds are absent, replaced by an open book, suggesting wisdom and knowledge are the cornerstones of Fagel's long tenure. On the other side, we see the Dutch lion, a symbol of strength and vigilance. It reminds me of similar heraldic lions found in medieval tapestries, their symbolic power undiminished through centuries. The serpent entwined around a staff at Justice's feet is the Caduceus, an ancient symbol of commerce and negotiation, which also reminds us of medicine and healing. The constant reinvention of such potent symbols speaks to our collective unconscious. It is how we continuously reinterpret and integrate inherited emblems into new cultural narratives. The power of symbols resides in their capacity to stir deep emotional and psychological responses, engaging us across generations. These forms are not static; they evolve, resurface, and take on new meanings in different contexts, forming the rich tapestry of cultural memory.