Opening van het Kanaal van Bergen naar Doornik, ter ere van Willem I Frederik, koning der Nederlanden 1826

Joseph-Pierre Braemt created this medal to commemorate the opening of the Canal from Bergen to Doornik in honour of William I Frederick, King of the Netherlands. Made in a time of significant political upheaval in the region, it encapsulates a complex period of Dutch rule over what is now Belgium. Medals like these were often commissioned by governments or institutions to celebrate achievements and solidify political narratives. The portrait of William I, presented in profile, draws on classical traditions of power and authority, reminiscent of Roman emperors. The choice of imagery and inscription served to promote the idea of a unified kingdom, even as tensions were brewing beneath the surface. As historians, we examine these artifacts, alongside archival documents, political writings and social commentaries from the period, to better understand not just the events they commemorate, but also the underlying social, political, and economic forces at play. This medal serves as a reminder that art is never neutral; it's always embedded in a specific historical context.