Willem V, prins van Oranje-Nassau 1785

This silver medal, made by Johann Heinrich Schepp, depicts Willem V, Prince of Orange-Nassau. It encapsulates the political and social complexities of the Netherlands during the late 18th century. The medal presents Willem V in profile, a visual language of power harking back to Roman emperors. The inscription and wreath on the reverse side reinforce his authority. But this wasn't a period of untroubled rule. The Dutch Republic was grappling with internal political divisions, economic decline, and the stirrings of revolution inspired by America and France. Such a medal served as propaganda, an attempt to shore up support for the ruling House of Orange in a time of increasing social unrest. These objects offer historians insights into the anxieties and aspirations of a society on the brink of radical change. Studying such objects, alongside pamphlets, political tracts, and other archival material, helps us understand the public role of art.