Namen vrij verklaard 1790

This medal, by Theodorus Victor van Berckel, was made in the Dutch Republic, probably in the late 18th century. It presents an allegorical statement about the aims of government. The iconography makes its meaning quite clear. The crowned shield, surrounded by an inscription, is a signifier of the province of Namur. On the reverse is an inscription in Latin promising liberty, religious stability, and constitutional governance for the people of Namur. This was a tumultuous time in European politics, and the Dutch Republic itself was soon to be overthrown by French Revolutionary forces. This medal is an example of political propaganda, attempting to create public sentiment by associating it with the values of the Enlightenment. By studying the history of the Dutch Republic, the political rhetoric of the Enlightenment, and the biographies of figures like Van Berckel, we can better understand the social forces that led to the creation of such objects. In this way, we come to see the artwork not as something self-contained, but as a product of its time.