Societe Royale d'Agriculture et de Botanique te Gent 1822

This bronze medal was created by Joseph-Pierre Braemt to commemorate the Royal Society of Agriculture and Botany in Ghent. These organizations emerged in Europe as part of the Enlightenment, which sought to improve society through reason, science, and secular ethics. In this medal, the feminine profile crowned with foliage signifies a close relationship between the natural environment and the human world. The medal is inscribed with ‘Societe Royale d'Agriculture et de Botanique te Gent’. Ghent was a prominent city in Belgium, a nation that was undergoing significant changes in its political, economic, and social structures, and it was searching for ways to represent itself. The medal is a statement of civic pride and a celebration of scientific progress. The role of the historian is vital in interpreting such objects, drawing on resources like organizational records and scientific publications to fully understand their significance. Ultimately, this medal stands as a testament to the belief in progress through science and the power of institutions to shape society.