Johannes Jacobus Vitriarius, hoogleraar rechten te Leiden 1742

Cast in bronze by Martin Holtzhey, this medal commemorates Johannes Jacobus Vitriarius, a professor of law in Leiden. Note the inscription on the reverse side, which reads 'In Figius Amicitias et Gratitudinis Tessaram,' a token of friendship and gratitude. This concept of exchanging tokens as symbols of friendship and loyalty echoes practices found throughout history. Consider the Roman 'tesserae hospitales,' small tablets exchanged between families to signify a bond of hospitality, a tradition that evolved from simple exchange to complex social and political alliances. These practices have deeper roots as a way of creating symbolic relationships between individuals and groups, a way of establishing a shared identity. The medal itself becomes a symbol, an object laden with cultural and emotional weight, demonstrating the enduring human need for connection, and a method for transforming these feelings into concrete and lasting forms. This medal serves as a testament of human relationships that continue to be reshaped across time.