Willem IV, Anna van Hannover en hun kinderen 1751

This silver medal, created by Johann Lorenz Natter, depicts Willem IV, Anna van Hannover, and their children. On one side, we see the conjoined portraits of Willem and Anna, framed by an inscription, while the other presents their children under the hopeful phrase, "Propago Felix," or "happy offspring." Consider the symbolism inherent in the family portrait, a motif extending back to antiquity. The familial image embodies dynastic continuity, echoing through time from Roman imperial displays to Renaissance court paintings. The inscription's invocation of "happy offspring" is particularly poignant. This theme of fertility and succession is found in ancient Roman coins depicting emperors with their heirs, a pattern of imitative symbolism intended to convey stability and divine favor. Such imagery taps into primal hopes for the future, an emotional undercurrent that engages viewers even today. This medal is not just a portrait but a potent symbol of legacy, reverberating with the weight of history.