Verblijf van Willem V en Wilhelmina van Pruisen te Amsterdam 1768

This silver medal was crafted by Carel Frederik Konsé to commemorate the visit of Willem V and Wilhelmina of Prussia to Amsterdam. In the late 18th century, the Dutch Republic was navigating internal political tensions and external pressures from neighboring powers. Willem V, as stadtholder, was a figurehead of the established order, while Wilhelmina, his Prussian wife, added international intrigue to the Dutch court. The medal captures the likenesses of Willem and Wilhelmina, presenting them as stoic figures, with the inscription serving as a historical marker of their presence in Amsterdam. However, the medal also serves as a reminder of the power dynamics at play. Willem's leadership was increasingly contested, and Wilhelmina's Prussian connections hinted at foreign influence in Dutch affairs. This medal isn't just a record of a visit; it's an artifact embedded in the complex web of political identity and power struggles that defined the Dutch Republic.