Eerste verjaardag van de Belgische revolutie 1831

This bronze medal, commemorating the first anniversary of the Belgian Revolution, presents a fascinating study in miniature composition. The obverse bursts with symbols of liberty and military strength. We see a cannon, crossed flags, and a liberty cap, all tightly arranged. The inscription, "LA BELGIQUE EST LIBRE," curves around this central grouping, creating a sense of dynamic enclosure. Turning to the reverse, a laurel wreath frames the inscription, "GLOIRE IMMORTELLE AUX BELGES." Here, the form shifts from assertive declaration to commemorative reverence. The wreath, a classical symbol of victory and honor, encircles the text, offering a sense of closure and timelessness. The medal's circular form itself speaks to wholeness and unity, encapsulating the revolutionary fervor and its aspirations for a unified, free Belgium. This small object thus becomes a potent symbol of a nation's birth.