Cholera-commissie te Amsterdam, ter ere van wijkmeester A.F.X. Sundorff,wegens bewezen diensten 1832

Editor: Here we have a medal, "Cholera-commissie te Amsterdam, ter ere van wijkmeester A.F.X. Sundorff, wegens bewezen diensten", or Cholera Commission of Amsterdam, in honor of district master A.F.X. Sundorff, for services rendered, made in 1832 by Johannes Petrus Schouberg. It appears to be made of metal and has a somewhat somber, commemorative feeling. How do you interpret the imagery and its purpose, considering its historical context? Curator: This medal offers a poignant glimpse into the social response to the 1832 cholera outbreak in Amsterdam. Commemorative medals like these were often commissioned by institutions or civic bodies to publicly acknowledge and celebrate individuals who played crucial roles during times of crisis. Note the prominent display of the Amsterdam coat of arms. What does that suggest about the city’s role? Editor: It seems to suggest civic pride and perhaps a validation of the city's response to the crisis. Sundorff was not acting alone; he was a part of something bigger. Curator: Exactly. And consider that during cholera outbreaks, social structures were often strained, and public trust in authorities could wane. By honoring figures like Sundorff, what do you think the Cholera Commission aimed to achieve? Editor: Restore or strengthen the faith in those leaders. Curator: Precisely. It’s also worth noting that the very act of creating and distributing such medals was a political statement, wasn't it? It spoke to the values and priorities of the commissioning body. Now think, beyond just remembering Sundorff's deeds, how did this object actively participate in shaping collective memory and reinforcing civic responsibility? Editor: That's a really interesting question; this medal is less about the man himself, perhaps, and more about what he represented. I see now how this seemingly simple object embodies layers of social and political meaning. Curator: Absolutely, and analyzing it highlights how art, even in the form of a small medal, always operates within specific historical, cultural, and institutional contexts. A great observation that it is not about the man, but a way to project strength.