Onthulling van het standbeeld van Rembrandt van Rijn te Amsterdam 1852 1852

This medal commemorating the unveiling of Rembrandt van Rijn's statue in Amsterdam in 1852 was created by M.C. de Vries Jr. In the 19th century, erecting statues became a civic ritual, a way for cities to publicly honor figures who embodied their values and history. This medal, then, is not just about Rembrandt, but about Amsterdam's construction of its own identity through art and commemoration. We can view it as a cultural artifact that reflects how societies selectively remember and celebrate figures from their past, shaping collective memory. Note that the depiction of Rembrandt in both relief and as a statue is as a man of his time, yet also timeless. This is a way of situating Rembrandt as both a historical figure and a continuing influence. The medal’s size and weight also bring an intimacy to the historical narrative, making it something personal one can hold. This intertwining of public celebration and personal connection is a poignant reminder of how we relate to art and history.