Huwelijk van Willem III, koning der Nederlanden en Emma, prinses van Waldeck-Pyrmont te Arolsen 1879

This bronze medal of circular form was created by Edouard Louis Geerts to commemorate the marriage of Willem III to Emma of Waldeck-Pyrmont. Notice the profiles of Willem and Emma on the obverse, their faces rendered in meticulous detail. Geerts captures their likenesses with a precision that speaks to the medal's function as a historical record and a piece of propaganda. The composition is neatly divided in two distinct halves. On one side, we see the sober depiction of nobility, and on the other side, there’s the allegorical representation of marriage featuring a cherubic figure. Consider how the medal’s circular form and the arrangement of text around the edges create a self-contained world, a microcosm of the royal event. This formal choice elevates the marriage to a symbolic level, transcending its personal nature. The bronze material lends it a sense of permanence and timelessness, suggesting the enduring legacy of the monarchy. Ultimately, this medal is more than just a commemorative object, it is a carefully constructed symbol of power, continuity, and the enduring nature of the Dutch monarchy.