Princess Alexandra Welcomed to England 1863

Joseph Shepherd Wyon created this bronze medallion to celebrate Princess Alexandra's arrival to England. Observe the serene profile and the meticulously styled hair, symbols of grace and royal dignity. The profile portrait, a motif echoed from ancient Roman coins to Renaissance portraiture, transcends mere likeness. It evokes power, authority, and idealized beauty. Consider, for instance, the tradition of depicting rulers in profile, a practice employed to project an image of strength and unyielding resolve. This isn't simply about documenting a face; it's about creating a lasting symbol. The symbolic weight carried by the motif of the profile serves as a reminder of our collective past, where symbols of power, beauty, and authority are endlessly reborn, each time carrying echoes of their former selves.