Amsterdamse almanak voor het jaar 1767, ter ere van Willem V 1767

This bronze medal, the Amsterdam Almanac for 1767, was made by Visser to honor Willem V. A portrait of Willem dominates one side, while the other features a calendar, symbols of time and order. Consider how portraits of rulers, like Willem, have evolved. From Roman emperors to Renaissance monarchs, these images serve as potent symbols of authority. This medallion is but a continuation of this grand tradition. Think of the psychological weight of these symbols. The need for leadership, for order, is etched deeply in our collective psyche. Here, the calendar, rigidly structured, mirrors the ruler’s desire to impose control on time, and by extension, on life itself. The imagery speaks to a need for stability in an ever-changing world. It's a timeless dance between power, representation, and the human need for order. The medal persists in reminding us of this dance, this cyclical return to symbols of authority and control, each time slightly transformed by its historical moment.