Herrinneringskruis voor de Amsterdamse Politie bij het vijfentwintigjarig regeringsjubileum van Koningin Wilhelmina 1923 1923

Editor: This metal relief is entitled "Remembrance Cross for the Amsterdam Police for the twenty-fifth anniversary of the reign of Queen Wilhelmina 1923," created by Johannes Cornelis Wienecke. It has such a somber yet powerful quality. What do you see in this piece, given the historical context? Curator: Well, the commemorative medal offers a fascinating lens through which to examine power structures and societal values of the time. Medals like these weren't just decorations. They served to reinforce loyalty to the monarchy and the state, particularly within institutions like the police force. Editor: So, it’s more than just an object, then. It seems like a carefully constructed narrative? Curator: Exactly. Think about the visual language here. The cross shape, even without explicit religious symbolism, invokes notions of duty and sacrifice, implicitly aligning the police force's service with a higher calling. Now, consider the portrait of Queen Wilhelmina. How does her representation contribute to this narrative? Editor: She is depicted rather regally within a laurel wreath...almost god-like. Was this common at the time? Curator: Royal imagery served as a tool to cultivate a sense of national unity. This medal solidified a hierarchical structure and a sense of unquestioned authority. I'd be curious to examine records to see how this connected with Amsterdam's evolving demographics and socio-economic tensions of the 1920s. Editor: It’s almost unsettling, looking at it from today's perspective, seeing how directly power was asserted through these kinds of objects. It gives a clearer view of the societal norms at the time. Curator: Precisely! Objects such as these can offer crucial insight into the cultural history and implicit assumptions prevalent during a specific moment in time. Editor: I’ll certainly look at medals differently going forward!