Vijftigjarige herdenking van de slag bij Waterloo

About this artwork

diameter 3.7 cm x weight 24.68 gr

Art Historical Context

Crafted in 1865 by Dutch engraver David van der K (1804-1879), *Vijftigjarigedenking van de slag Waterloo* (50th Anniversary Commemoration of the Battle Waterloo) is a finely struck medal celebrating the pivotal 1815 defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte. Measuring just 3.7 cm in diameter and weighing24.68 grams, small yet potent artifact captures a moment of European history when Allied forces under the Duke of Wellington and Prussian Field Marshal Blücher secured victory near Waterloo, Belgium, reshaping the continent's political landscape. Van der Kellen, a master of 19th-century Dutch medal art, employed the striking technique—hammering a die into softened metal—to achieve crisp, detailed reliefs typical of neoclassical numismatics. Such medals were popular commemorative objects in the era, blending historical reverence with artistic precision, often distributed to honor national pride. This piece reflects the enduring legacy of Waterloo, evoking patriotism in the Netherlands, whose troops played a key role in the battle. As a tangible link to 19th-century memory culture, it invites us to ponder how nations marked triumphs through wearable art, turning epic events into intimate heirlooms.