Vijfentwintigjarig regeringsjubileum van Koningin Wilhelmina 1923 (klein model) 1923

Editor: This is "Vijfentwintigjarig regeringsjubileum van Koningin Wilhelmina 1923 (klein model)" a bronze sculpture made in 1923 by Johannes Cornelis Wienecke. It looks like a commemorative medal, doesn't it? What strikes me is the stark contrast between the regal portrait of Queen Wilhelmina on one side and the almost whimsical depiction on the reverse. How do you interpret this work? Curator: Indeed. We can begin by observing the crispness of the lines in the queen’s profile versus the round shapes of the architectural details and the decorative garlands on the reverse. Consider, too, the inscriptions encircling each side. The Queen’s name and title create a closed, self-referential form. While the words surrounding the building reference the place and occasion of the Jubilee. Editor: So, the lettering helps to contextualize each side of the work. Are you suggesting a reading that highlights these compositional differences to understand the meaning? Curator: Precisely. By examining these intrinsic elements – line, form, text, and their arrangement – we can decode a structured representation of power and commemoration. The portrait presents a formalized image of authority, while the other side gestures towards civic celebration through architectural and textual symbols. How do you feel about the symmetry of the work? Editor: I now see the tension, or perhaps the intended harmony, between the individual and the state, rendered purely through visual and textual components. Curator: The beauty of formalism lies in its rigorous attention to these building blocks. Understanding how artists use form allows a greater knowledge of artistic creation. Editor: I think I now have a much better appreciation for Wienecke's sculptural technique in capturing a formal image that also acknowledges national pride.