Meerderjarigheid van kroonprins Willem Nicolaas Alexander 1858 1858

This bronze medal was designed by M.C. de Vries Jr. in 1858 to mark the coming of age of Crown Prince Willem Nicolaas Alexander of the Netherlands. It is both a portrait and a record of a moment of national significance. The image of the Prince in profile, facing right, presents him as a figure of authority and leadership while the Latin inscription on the reverse side translates to 'The Dutch people congratulate their Prince on reaching adulthood'. The Prince's coming of age was not only a personal milestone, but also a moment with significant implications for the stability of the monarchy and the continuity of the Dutch state. By commissioning and distributing medals like this, the Dutch monarchy sought to cultivate a sense of national unity and loyalty. The heraldic shields displayed around the edge of the reverse side symbolize the different provinces of the Netherlands, underscoring the idea of a unified nation under the leadership of the House of Orange. To understand this medal fully, we can consult historical archives, and the writings and speeches of leading political figures of the time. The medal is a reminder that art is always embedded in a specific social and institutional context.