Septemberdagen

About this artwork

Gift of J.M. van Gelder-Nijhoff

Art Historical Context

**Septemberdagen** is a delicate struck metalwork piece by Laurent Joseph Hart, created in 1830. Measuring just 1.9 cm in diameter, this intimate artwork exemplifies the precision of 19th-century medal-making, where metal is hammered or pressed into intricate designs using engraved dies. Such small-scale striking techniques allowed for highly detailed reliefs, often celebrating pivotal historical moments, and were prized by collectors for their portability and craftsmanship. Dated to the very year of the Belgian Revolution, the title *Septemberdagen*—Dutch for "September Days"—likely commemorates the uprising in Brussels that began on September 25, 1830, sparking Belgium's independence from the United Kingdom of the Netherlands. Hart, a skilled artisan in this era of political upheaval, captured the fervor of these events in a format that made history wearable, much like contemporary jetons or medals exchanged as tokens of solidarity. Generously donated by J.M. van Gelder-Nijhoff, this piece reflects the enduring Dutch-Belgian cultural ties amid revolutionary change. Its survival as a museum treasure invites us to ponder how even tiny objects can echo the thunder of history.