De onwrikbaarheid van Koning Willem I 1830 1830 - 1834

This is Loos’s bronze medal “The Steadfastness of King William I”, likely made in 1830. It's a piece that encapsulates the complex relationship between power, identity, and national narrative during a tumultuous period in Dutch history. The medal presents two distinct images. On one side, a portrait of King William I, adorned in military regalia which symbolizes authority and control. Juxtapose this with the reverse side, where a rock amidst a stormy sea embodies resilience against adversity. It’s a scene intended to project the image of a leader unyielding in the face of political upheaval. However, this medal was created against the backdrop of growing dissent and the Belgian Revolution. The narrative of unwavering strength is in direct contrast to the fractures and tensions within the kingdom at the time. Through its imagery, the medal becomes a fascinating artifact and a lens through which we can examine the construction of national identity and the complexities of power.