Pieter Albert van der Parra sedert tien jaar gouverneur-generaal van Nederlands-Indie 1771

This silver medal, an anonymous creation, commemorates Pieter Albert van der Parra's tenth year as Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies. Observe the striking image of a ship at sail, set against turbulent waves; a timeless symbol of exploration and control over the seas. This motif echoes through centuries, hearkening back to ancient Greek vase paintings of seafaring heroes and the argonauts. But here, the ship represents the Dutch East India Company's dominance, a symbol of mercantile prowess and colonial ambition. Consider how the ship, once a vessel of mythological quests, has transformed into an emblem of earthly power. This evolution reflects the human tendency to project desires and anxieties onto symbols, shaping their meanings across generations. The emotional resonance of this symbol—the lure of the unknown, the promise of wealth—continues to engage viewers on a primal, subconscious level. Such symbols, like the ship, do not follow a linear path through history, but reappear, evolve, and take on new meanings.