Queen Victoria's Visit to the Corporation of London 1837

William Wyon crafted this metal medal to commemorate Queen Victoria's visit to the Corporation of London. Here, we see Victoria in profile, a classical motif dating back to ancient Roman coins, emblems of power and imperial reach. This profile echoes those of emperors of old, linking Victoria to a lineage of rulers stretching back through time. Consider the enduring image of the profile – it simplifies, yet aggrandizes. This aesthetic choice speaks volumes about the Victorian era's fascination with antiquity and its desire to anchor itself in historical grandeur. But these images are more than just historical echoes. They are charged with a deep psychological power. The act of immortalizing a leader's likeness is not merely commemorative, but a potent expression of collective memory and the human desire for lasting legacy. The profile, then, becomes a symbol, laden with layers of historical, cultural, and psychological meaning.