Inname van Parijs door de geallieerden en verbanning van Napoleon I Bonaparte

About this artwork

Gift of J.M. van Gelder-Nijhoff

Art Historical Context

This exquisite struck medal, titled *Inname van Parijs de geallieerden verbanning van Napoleon I* (Capture of Paris by Allies and Exile of Napoleon Bonaparte), commemorates a pivotal moment at the close of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815. Crafted by the firm Kettle & Söhne, it captures the triumphant entry of Allied forces into Paris following Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo, marking his second and final exile to Saint Helena. Produced mere months after these seismic events, the medal served as a tangible symbol of European relief and the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy, circulated among collectors and patriots to celebrate the end of nearly two decades of revolutionary upheaval. Measuring just 2.5 cm in diameter and weighing 4.99 grams, this delicate metalwork exemplifies the precision of 19th-century striking techniques, where dies press intricate designs into soft metal blanks under immense pressure. Such medals blended artistry with propaganda, often featuring symbolic motifs of victory on the obverse and historical vignettes on the reverse—though specifics here evoke the drama of Paris's fall. Kettle & Söhne's craftsmanship reflects the era's neoclassical revival, prioritizing sharp relief and historical fidelity. A generous gift from J.M. van Gelder-Nijhoff, this piece offers visitors a pocket-sized portal to 1815's geopolitical drama, reminding us how art minted history into everyday legacy.