Het Vrije van Brugge 1776 1776

This silver medal, 'Het Vrije van Brugge 1776' was crafted by Theodorus Victor van Berckel. A striking motif, a sphere, becomes the centerpiece, flanked by two figures embodying strength and abundance. These figures, reminiscent of classical deities, echo through Renaissance and Baroque art. We see them reborn time and again, symbols of power and prosperity, as a collective memory of a glorious, perhaps imagined, past. Consider the 'cornucopia' held by the female figure. This 'horn of plenty' is a vessel overflowing with fruits and grains that stretches back to ancient Greece, symbolizing endless nourishment and wealth. It resurfaces in various guises, from Roman frescoes to Dutch still lifes, each time carrying the weight of its historical predecessors. The medal becomes a psychological stage, tapping into our primal desires for security and well-being. These symbols aren't static; they are constantly evolving, adapting to the anxieties and aspirations of each new era.