Collegium Medicum te Amsterdam, penning van Joachim Rendorp, curator van de hortus medicus 1786

This is a silver medal created by Willem de Wijs to commemorate Joachim Rendorp, a curator of the Hortus Medicus in Amsterdam. The medal reflects the Dutch Republic's reverence for intellectual and civic leadership during the 18th century. The imagery on the medal draws heavily from classical antiquity, a common practice intended to associate the subject with the virtues and achievements of earlier civilizations. The figure of Aesculapius, the Greek god of medicine, symbolizes healing and knowledge. This imagery, combined with inscriptions, served to elevate Rendorp's status, aligning him with ideals of wisdom and public service. However, these symbolic choices also reveal the social structures of the time. Rendorp's representation through a classical lens reinforced existing hierarchies of class and education, accessible only to a select group. This medal encapsulates a potent mix of admiration and exclusion, reflecting the complex social dynamics of the Dutch Golden Age.