Verdediging van de citadel van Antwerpen, penning door de Commissie van erkentenis te Amsterdam uitgereikt aan A.C. Burchaert de Vos 1832 - 1833

This bronze medal, made by David van der Kellen, commemorates the defense of the citadel of Antwerp. Its circular form, a self-contained universe, focuses our attention on two distinct faces, each with its symbolic weight. One side depicts a heroic figure fending off arrows, embodying resilience. The incised lines create depth and texture, while the figure's dynamic stance conveys movement and resistance. This side, rich in figurative elements, contrasts sharply with the other, which features a simple inscription encircled by a wreath. The wreath, with its repetitive, organic forms, frames the name of A. C. Burchaert de Vos. This interplay between text and image, figure and ground, highlights the medal's function: to immortalize an individual through symbolic representation. Note how the controlled relief of the lettering and the wreath's pattern contrast with the dramatic scene. This medal exemplifies how form and structure intersect with history.