Caspar Georg Carl Reinwardt, vijftig jaar hoogleraar biologie aan de universiteit van Leiden, penning geschonken door zijn vrienden en leerlingen

About this artwork

Zilveren penning. Voorzijde: borststuk man binnen omschrift. Keerzijde: opschrift boven twee samengebonden palmtakken.

Art Historical Context

This elegant silver medal, struck in 1851 by Dutch engraver David van derellen (1804–9), commemorates Caspar Georg Carlwardt's remarkable 50 years as professor of biology at Leiden University. Gifted by his friends and, it honors a pioneering scientist whose work advanced botany, chemistry, and natural history in Netherlands. Measuring just 5.2 cm in diameter and weighing 54.71 grams, the medal exemplifies 19th-century European commemorative art, where finely struck metal pieces served as enduring tokens of gratitude and achievement. The obverse features a detailed bust portrait of Reinwardt encircled by an inscription, capturing his dignified likeness with van der Kellen's precise engraving technique—a hallmark of his career in medal design and etching. The reverse bears an inscription above two bound palm branches, a classical motif symbolizing victory, peace, and scholarly triumph. Struck medals like this, produced through dies under high pressure, allowed for intricate relief and mass replication, making them accessible yet prestigious awards. In the context of Dutch academic tradition, this piece reflects the era's reverence for scientific luminaries amid the Netherlands' Golden Age legacy in natural sciences. Van der Kellen's craftsmanship bridges art and utility, inviting us to appreciate how such medals preserved personal legacies for generations.