Overlijden van Koning Willem II 1849 1849

This is a silver medal commemorating the death of King William II in 1849, created by Johannes Petrus Schouberg. It compels us through its contrasting surfaces and symbolic composition. On one side, we observe a high-relief profile of the King. The stark linearity of his bust contrasts with the circular field, creating a tension between the individual and the collective. On the reverse, the allegorical figure of a grieving woman leans upon a plinth, her form echoing the somber mood. The medal operates as a sign; its imagery and inscriptions are not merely representational but work as a language to convey loss and remembrance. Consider how the circular form itself symbolizes continuity, challenging the finality of death. Schouberg invites us to reflect on how symbols function to negotiate complex emotions within a structured framework. The medal serves as a cultural artifact, prompting continuous dialogue on how we memorialize and interpret history.