Bezoek van Isabella II, koningin van Spanje aan de stad Bilbao 1836

Curator: At first glance, I'm struck by the somewhat severe austerity of this bronze piece; the color feels somber, almost like a mourning token. Editor: Precisely. What we’re seeing here is a medal commemorating Isabella II, Queen of Spain’s visit to Bilbao in 1836. It is currently held in the Rijksmuseum. Curator: Bilbao... Interesting. It casts this commemorative medal in a fresh, and deeply political light. Were there specific issues in Bilbao at this time, perhaps regarding the crown itself? Editor: Absolutely. 1836 marks a tumultuous period in Spain's history, embroiled in the First Carlist War. Bilbao was under siege. This visit was deeply symbolic, designed to legitimize Isabella’s claim to the throne amidst significant Carlist opposition, who supported Carlos, Isabella's uncle. The queen appearing in the north implied the stability of her control. Curator: So this visit becomes a performative act of sovereignty in a region resistant to centralized power. The medal itself then operates as propaganda? To control a certain kind of historical memory, in relation to Isabella’s claim of legitimacy? Editor: Indeed. The inscription surrounding Isabella, though difficult to read, reinforces this, speaking to “invincible Bilbao” and Isabella's "tears and blood". The medal creates an official narrative. And let’s consider where this bronze object might have circulated: elites, soldiers, administrators… Curator: Which casts light onto why the female figures depicted feel so staid and official – removed from their identities as individuals, perhaps to promote this broader project of political rhetoric? Editor: I agree entirely. Its circulation would bolster this imagery, reiterating power through material culture and serving as a constant reminder. What this visit achieved and symbolized... that is power. Curator: Thank you. That helps reframe what could seem to the unassuming eye, as a piece of detached courtly ornamentation. Editor: Indeed. Understanding the fraught context clarifies its intended impact. Hopefully we’ve unveiled new insight.