Aankomst van Willem IV en prinses Anna van Engeland te Leeuwarden 1734

This silver medal, crafted by Martin Holtzhey, commemorates the arrival of Willem IV and Princess Anna of England in Leeuwarden. The conjoined profiles of Willem and Anna evoke the Roman tradition of depicting rulers, suggesting stability and shared power. On the reverse, we see allegorical figures greeting the royal couple. The handshake, a motif as ancient as civilization itself, symbolizes agreement and unity. We find it echoed through the ages, from Roman marriage depictions to contemporary political imagery, each time reaffirming bonds between individuals and nations. This simple gesture is laden with layers of cultural memory. The medal serves not merely as a historical record but as a potent reminder of our collective past, of how symbols persist, transform, and continue to shape our understanding of power and connection.