Vijfentwintigjarig regeringsjubileum van Koningin Wilhelmina 1923 1923

This bronze medal commemorating Queen Wilhelmina's 25th year in power was made by Johannes Cornelis Wienecke in 1923. What I notice first is the careful, meticulous detail, like tiny brushstrokes rendered in metal. The patina is a warm, inviting bronze, giving it a sense of history. The surface has a smooth, almost polished feel, except where the text and images are raised. Look at how the artist has captured the Queen's profile, so regal and serene. Then, turn it over and see the building, its details precisely rendered, as if drawn with the finest pen. It’s like seeing a building within a building, or a story within a story. I can imagine Wienecke working painstakingly, slowly building up these images. This reminds me of the work of someone like Ernst Barlach, who used sculpture to express themes of humanism and spirituality. Like Barlach, Wienecke uses a traditional medium to capture something timeless. The medal is a testament to the enduring power of art to capture and celebrate moments in history.