Raadspenning van de stad Brussel 1818

Curator: This silver medal, the "Raadspenning van de stad Brussel", was designed in 1818 by Adolphe Jouvenel and is currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. Editor: It strikes me as almost austere. The details are intricate, but the overall feel is rather cold, almost clinical in its precision. Is that typical of its time? Curator: The Neoclassical aesthetic definitely leaned towards order and clarity. The iconography, though, is potent. We see St. Michael, a powerful figure, slaying the dragon – representing good overcoming evil. This would resonate strongly with notions of civic virtue. The reverse shows a wreath encircling S.P.Q.B. Editor: Right, that reminds us of Rome's famous S.P.Q.R., Senatus PopulusQue Romanus—the Senate and People of Rome. Here B must stand for Brussels? It’s quite a bold statement, invoking the ancient authority of Rome, but what's the link? Curator: Brussels, seeking to align itself with concepts of classical virtue, perhaps? Cities at the time often used classical imagery to bolster their prestige and project an image of strength and stability, particularly after periods of upheaval. The layered message of saintly intervention and classical stability would convey order and God on your side. Editor: The form itself speaks volumes. Its octagonal shape isn't accidental. This divergence from circles or squares conveys, in its small way, novelty and complexity. Curator: It avoids strict geometry, you're right. Medals like this circulated within a specific socio-political framework. Awarded by the city council, it functioned as a symbol of honor and recognition. In that context, its value lies beyond the intrinsic worth of the silver; it's a tangible representation of power, status, and civic duty. Editor: Absolutely, it's a public declaration, a miniature monument reflecting the values of Brussels and the status of its leaders at a specific historical moment. And seeing it today offers us a lens into that bygone era. Curator: Yes, tracing these images reminds us how symbolic forms help societies to express their values and aspirations.