Overlijden van Willem II, koning der Nederlanden 1849

This bronze medal commemorating the death of Willem II, King of the Netherlands, was made by Adrien Hippolyte Veyrat. The medal is a testament to the artistry of die-striking, a process involving the precise engraving of hardened steel dies used to impress designs onto metal blanks under immense pressure. Consider the labor invested in this small object. From the mining and smelting of the bronze to the skilled hands of the die cutter, each stage reflects a network of human effort. The incised inscription and Willem’s profiled portrait showcase Veyrat’s command of relief and detail, giving a sense of depth on a shallow plane. Medals like this were often commissioned by governments or institutions to memorialize events or figures, circulating as symbols of power and remembrance. It serves not only as a historical record, but also as a marker of social status and political allegiance. This medal reminds us that even seemingly simple objects can embody complex systems of production, craftsmanship, and cultural meaning.