Tweehonderdjarig bestaan van het Remonstrants seminarie te Amsterdam 1834

This silver medal commemorating the bicentennial of the Remonstrant Seminary in Amsterdam was made by David van der Kellen. On the face of the medal, we see a personification of freedom. She leans against a pillar, a quill in her hand, ready to write, while resting her foot on a book, possibly representing theology. This image recalls classical depictions of liberty but is recontextualized within the specific history of the Remonstrant movement, a Dutch religious group that championed freedom of conscience. The act of writing, symbolized by the quill, carries potent significance across time. From ancient scribes to enlightenment philosophers, the quill represents the power to articulate and disseminate ideas. Think of the Winged Victory of Samothrace, with its implied movement and message of triumph and how this medal evokes liberty. The enduring appeal of freedom as an allegorical figure engages viewers on a deep, subconscious level, tapping into collective memories. This medal illustrates how symbols evolve, resurface, and take on new meanings, weaving a complex web across historical contexts.