Stichting van de Belgische Teeken-academie, ter ere van Karel Alexander, hertog van Lotharingen-Bar, beschermheer der vrije kunsten 1778

This silver medal was created by Theodorus Victor van Berckel to honor the establishment of the Belgian Drawing Academy. Notice the putti on the reverse, engaged in various artistic pursuits, referencing classical art. These cherubic figures are not merely decorative; they symbolize the arts as timeless, ever-youthful endeavors, a concept that stretches back to antiquity. The act of depicting children involved in intellectual pursuits is a powerful motif, reflecting the belief that art and knowledge are foundational and should be nurtured from a young age. This symbolism connects to earlier depictions of muses and allegorical figures representing the arts. In Renaissance paintings, for example, we often see similar figures embodying the pursuit of knowledge and creativity. The imagery evokes the potent idea that the arts are perennial, constantly renewing themselves through each generation.