Inhuldiging van Willem III tot koning der Nederlanden te Amsterdam 1849

This is a silver medal by Johannes Petrus Schouberg commemorating the inauguration of Willem III as King of the Netherlands. While seemingly a simple commemorative object, it encapsulates the complex dynamics of 19th-century Dutch society. Consider the imagery: a crown, crossed swords, and an open book, likely representing the constitution, framed by laurel wreaths, symbols traditionally associated with victory and honor. These symbols are not neutral; they speak to power, authority, and the legacy of Dutch royalty. The medal served not just as a souvenir but as a potent reminder of the established order and the king's role within it. Who was included and excluded in this representation of the kingdom? What about the voices of those who may have questioned or resisted the monarchy? Consider how this medal, in its creation and distribution, helped to shape a shared sense of national identity, one that celebrated unity and allegiance to the crown, while perhaps obscuring other, more complex realities.