Victoria Calcutta Exhibition, 1883–84 1883 - 1884

Alfred Benjamin Wyon created this bronze medal to commemorate the Victoria Calcutta Exhibition of 1883–84. This work embodies the complex relationship between Britain and its colonies during the late 19th century. The medal features a profile of Queen Victoria, adorned with a crown and jewelry, with the inscription "Victoria Empress." This imagery reinforces the Queen's status as the ruler of the British Empire, extending her power and influence over India. The Calcutta Exhibition, like other world's fairs, served as a display of industrial and cultural achievements, but also as a tool for reinforcing imperial hierarchies. The medal itself becomes an object that promotes the legitimacy of British rule. Understanding this medal requires historical research into the context of British imperialism, the role of exhibitions in shaping perceptions of power and progress, and the visual codes used to convey authority. By examining such artifacts, we can gain insight into the social and institutional forces that shaped artistic production and the ways in which art reinforced or challenged existing social norms.