Hulde van de Leidse jonkvrouwen aan de uitgetrokken Leidse studenten 1831

This bronze medal, crafted by David van der Kellen, presents a complex interplay of symbols. On one side, a female figure stands tall, offering a laurel wreath with one hand and holding a staff in the other, embodying victory and authority. These elements resonate deeply with classical antiquity. Laurel wreaths, for instance, crowned triumphant athletes and emperors, while staffs signified power and guidance. Yet, such symbols don’t exist in isolation. The wreath, a circle of triumph, echoes in countless images across time, from ancient Roman coins to Renaissance paintings. But here, its meaning is nuanced. The medal commemorates a specific event: the tribute of the women of Leiden to students who volunteered in the war. This act of reverence suggests a deeper emotional undercurrent, a collective acknowledgement of sacrifice and heroism. The past is constantly being refigured through present experience.