Collegium Medicum te Utrecht, toegangspenning voor de hortus medicus voor I. Keetell 1777

Editor: This is a bronze medal from 1777, titled "Collegium Medicum te Utrecht, toegangspenning voor de hortus medicus voor I. Keetell," which, if my Dutch serves me, translates roughly to “Access Medal for the Utrecht Botanical Garden for I. Keetell." It strikes me as a curious blend of heraldry and something almost classical, very... formal. What catches your eye about this piece? Curator: Formal, yes, in that late 18th-century, Enlightenment kind of way – obsessed with order and cataloging everything! For me, though, it's the tension between the classical imagery and the practical purpose that sings. I imagine someone important, perhaps a doctor, proudly displaying this to gain entry to a place of learning and healing. The relief, with its somewhat severe figures, has a weight that speaks of established institutions. Doesn't it make you wonder what secrets were whispered among the herbs and flowers of that Hortus Medicus? Did I. Keetell enjoy his botanicals, I wonder? Editor: Definitely! And you're right about that contrast. I was so focused on the rigid design I almost missed the implicit connection between knowledge and access. But who exactly was I. Keetell, and why did they get a medal? Curator: That, my friend, is where the mystery deepens! Was Keetell a benefactor, a renowned botanist, or simply a well-connected enthusiast? We can see in it the weight of academic institutions, perhaps a little vanity. Who wouldn’t want access, right? It's interesting to note that, in some eras, knowing what a plant does meant power and influence. Editor: I hadn't thought about the power aspect! It's like a visual reminder that knowledge has always been a valuable commodity, not just a pleasant pursuit. Thanks, that makes me appreciate the piece— and Keetell's potential story—even more. Curator: And for me, this little bronze circle becomes a portal! To a world of secret gardens, medical mysteries, and the eternal human quest for understanding. Just goes to show you; even the smallest object can contain an entire universe.