Zuid-Hollandsche Maatschappy tot redding van schipbreukelingen te Rotterdam, penning uitgereikt aan J. Adams 1824 - 1860

Gottfried Bernhard Loos created this silver medal for the South Holland Society for the Rescue of Shipwrecked People in Rotterdam. In the nineteenth century, private philanthropic organizations emerged to address social problems, operating outside of state control. This medal commemorates the work of one such organization. It illustrates a dramatic rescue scene and acts as a token of appreciation for acts of bravery. The medal provides a fascinating glimpse into the social values of the time. It values individual initiative, civic responsibility, and mutual aid, representing the cultural norms of the rising middle classes. These are the social conditions that shape artistic production. The existence of the society reflects broader socio-economic trends, such as increased maritime trade and growing awareness of social welfare. Historians use archival records, organizational documents, and period newspapers to better understand the context of art objects. The meaning of this medal is contingent on its historical and institutional framework.