Coronation of George IV 1821

This silver medal, depicting the ‘Coronation of George IV,’ was crafted by Benedetto Pistrucci, an Italian gem-engraver who became Chief Medallist to the Royal Mint in London. The piece captures more than just a royal coronation; it speaks to the social and political complexities of the time. George IV, crowned amidst a period of immense social change and growing calls for political reform, had a reputation for extravagance and detachment from the struggles of ordinary Britons. Pistrucci, an outsider who navigated the intricate world of the British monarchy, infuses his work with a Neoclassical aesthetic, reminiscent of Roman emperors. Look closely at the idealized image of George IV. It stands in stark contrast to the realities of his reign, where class divisions were deepening. The medal, in its creation and reception, serves as a reminder of the narratives of power, identity, and representation that continue to shape our world.