Coronation of Victoria 1838

This silver medal commemorating the coronation of Queen Victoria was crafted by Benedetto Pistrucci. The queen's profile, adorned with a simple headband, is a deliberate echo of classical antiquity, a visual strategy employed throughout the Neoclassical movement, linking her reign to the grandeur and stability of past empires. The headband itself—a seemingly modest adornment—is heavy with symbolism. It is reminiscent of the laurel wreaths worn by Roman emperors, a subtle yet potent assertion of power and authority. We see a similar adaptation in portraits of Napoleon, where classical motifs were consciously integrated to legitimize his rule. Consider how such symbols operate on a subconscious level. The visual vocabulary of power is embedded deep within our collective memory. By evoking the imagery of past rulers, the artist taps into primal emotions, instilling a sense of awe and reinforcing the queen's status. This medal is not merely a record of an event, it is an assertion of a dynasty, a careful construction of an image intended to resonate across time.