Overlijden van Felix de Merode

About this artwork

Bronzen penning. Voorzijde: borststuk man binnen omschrift. Keerzijde: gekroond wapenschild binnen eikekrans en omschrift

Art Historical Context

**Overlijden van Felix Merode** (1857) is a finely crafted bronze medal by Leopold Wiener, a skilled 19th-century Belgian engraver and medalist known for his intricate commemorative works. Measuring 6.8 cm in and weighing 1382 grams, this struck medal exemplifies the precision of metalworking techniques popular in mid-19th-century Europe. obverse features a detailed bust portrait of Felix de Merode within an encircling inscription, while the reverse displays a crowned coat of arms encircled by an oak wreath another inscription—classic elements symbolizing nobility, victory, and enduring legacy. uck medals like this one were a prestigious medium for memorials, blending sculpture's three-dimensionality with coin-like portability. Wiener's design honors Sylvain van de Werve, Count de Merode (1795–1857), a prominent Belgian nobleman, liberal politician, and advocate for national independence during Belgium's turbulent early years. Created in the year of de Merode's death, it reflects the era's tradition of posthumous tributes to public figures, capturing their likeness and heraldry to preserve memory amid political change. This piece highlights the artistic revival of medal-making in the Romantic period, where symbolism like the oak wreath evoked strength and immortality. For visitors, it offers a tangible glimpse into 19th-century Belgian identity, blending portraiture, heraldry, and craftsmanship in a compact, elegant form.

About the Artist

Leopold Wiener · 1823–1891

Belgian, Venlo 1823–1891 Brussels