Huwelijk van de Hertog van Brabant 1853 1853

This is a bronze medal created in 1853 by Leopold Wiener, commemorating the wedding of the Duke of Brabant. The medal presents two distinct faces, each with its own set of signs and meanings. One side features a solitary profile of Leopold I, his gaze directed towards the future, encircled by text indicating his stature as king. Turn the coin and find conjoined profiles of the Duke of Brabant and his bride, their shared gaze suggesting unity. The structured composition speaks to the union of two individuals, but also of two families and states. Consider the interplay of individual versus couple, the singular authority of the King against the promise of shared rule, or the contrast of text that emphasizes hierarchy and the silent symbolism of matrimonial portraiture. Through these formal arrangements, the coin functions as a complex system of signs that reflects the political and social values of its time. It also invites us to question how power and relationships are symbolically represented.