Inhuldiging van Koningin Wilhelmina 1890 1890

This medal commemorating the Inauguration of Queen Wilhelmina was created in 1890 by the Koninklijke Utrechtsche Fabriek van Zilverwerken van C.J. Begeer. The representation of Wilhelmina is striking, particularly when considering the weight of societal expectations placed on her young shoulders. As a young girl ascending to the throne, she inherited not only a kingdom but also the symbolic burden of representing Dutch national identity. The medal attempts to encapsulate the weight of that moment. This work prompts us to consider how national identity is constructed and projected, and how the bodies of women, particularly those in positions of power, become sites for negotiating these complex ideas. The careful craftsmanship and symbolic imagery serve as a reminder of the historical narratives that shape our understanding of power, gender, and nationhood.