Overlijden van Willem I Frederik, gedurende vijfentwintig jaar koning der Nederlanden 1843

Editor: This metal relief from 1843 by Johannes Petrus Schouberg is titled "Overlijden van Willem I Frederik, gedurende vijfentwintig jaar koning der Nederlanden," or, "Death of William I Frederick, for twenty-five years King of the Netherlands." I'm struck by the neoclassical imagery—a somber profile on one side and what seems like a personification of grief on the other. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Beyond the surface level of neoclassical aesthetics and its commemorative purpose, it’s critical to ask, "Whose narrative is being privileged here?" The medal not only memorializes the King but also solidifies the power structure of the monarchy within Dutch society. We should question the deliberate use of idealized imagery and classical motifs. What effect does this idealized representation have on how the public perceived the King? Editor: I guess it makes him seem timeless, almost godlike? And it creates a very specific idea of mourning... Curator: Exactly. Consider how this imagery might have served to quell dissent or promote national unity by manufacturing consent to those in power. What ideologies are embedded within its visual language, particularly concerning power, legacy, and the ideal citizen? We must deconstruct these elements to understand their impact. What stories are actively suppressed to celebrate the monarchy and paint the king in an extremely favorable way? Editor: So it’s less about the King himself and more about how his image served a larger political purpose? Curator: Precisely. It prompts a broader discussion about power dynamics and the role of art in shaping collective memory, demanding an intersectional approach to examine these artworks to unpack those dominant discourses. Editor: I hadn't thought of it that way at all. It’s amazing to think about all of these undercurrents in what seems like just a memorial. Curator: By unveiling those narratives, we empower ourselves to engage more critically with history.