Geboorte van de zoon van Stadhouder Prins Willem V, de latere koning Willem I, 1772 1778

This silver medal was crafted by Barend Christiaan van Calker in 1772 to celebrate the birth of William I. On one side, a figure stands, staff in hand, as divine light pours down, signifying a celestial blessing upon the newborn. The motif of divine light is particularly striking, reminiscent of countless depictions throughout history where enlightenment or favor is bestowed from above. Consider the halo in religious paintings, or the sunburst behind Apollo. Here, it underscores the significance of William's birth to the Dutch. Such imagery taps into a deep-seated human desire for order and meaning, imbuing events with cosmic importance. The symbolic weight of this medal, designed to circulate and commemorate, speaks to a powerful, collective need to anchor our lives in grander narratives. It's a pattern echoed across centuries and cultures, a testament to the enduring power of symbols to shape our understanding of the world.