Aanvaarding van de regering door Willem II, koning der Nederlanden 1840

This bronze medal by Adrien Hippolyte Veyrat commemorates Willem II's acceptance of government. The laurel wreath encircling the inscriptions on the reverse side embodies a tradition stretching back to ancient Greece, where wreaths of laurel signified triumph and honor. We see its echoes in Roman art, adorning emperors and generals, signifying power and victory. But even before, this symbol resonates with the myth of Apollo, eternally linked to the laurel after Daphne's transformation. Across centuries, the wreath appears in various forms, adorning emperors, poets, and athletes alike. The wreath binds the coronation of a king to ancient rites of heroism. The persistence of the laurel wreath speaks to our enduring fascination with achievement and recognition, subtly influencing our perception of power and authority. It evokes a sense of timelessness.