Medaille met de tekst 'Societas Indicana Orientalis' 1784

This print from the late 18th century by Reinier Vinkeles depicts a medal commemorating the Dutch East India Company, or VOC. Its imagery and text offer a window into the complex relationship between commerce, politics, and national identity in the Netherlands during this period. The medal presents a classical female figure, perhaps representing the Dutch Republic, adorned with symbols referencing the East. Inscribed around her is 'Societas Indicana Orientalis,' the Company's Latin name. On the reverse, a dedication to a French admiral is framed by a laurel wreath. The VOC was a powerful entity, acting as a state within a state. The medal celebrates its economic achievements, but it also evokes the violence and exploitation inherent in colonial trade. By studying the VOC's archives, contemporary publications, and visual representations, we can begin to understand how this enterprise shaped Dutch society and its relationship with the wider world. Art objects like this medal are valuable sources for historians, revealing the complex interplay of power, wealth, and representation in the age of empire.