Inhuldiging van Wilhelmina, koningin der Nederlanden 1898

Editor: Here we have Bart van Hove's bronze relief, "Inhuldiging van Wilhelmina, koningin der Nederlanden," created in 1898. It feels almost like a coin, very classical in its portrayal of Queen Wilhelmina. What's your interpretation? Curator: From a materialist perspective, I immediately consider the implications of bronze as the medium for commemorating Queen Wilhelmina's inauguration. Bronze speaks to mass production; such relief was likely circulated widely, engaging a broader populace with the image of their monarch. Editor: That’s an interesting point. So, you're saying the choice of bronze affects the work's accessibility and intended audience? Curator: Precisely. The scale and choice of materials shifts this away from a fine art object appreciated by an elite and instead situates it more as a commodity meant to inspire national sentiment. We must also consider the labor involved in producing multiples of this object. Editor: So, not just an artistic piece, but also an item of popular culture? Curator: Yes. Its creation involved workshops, labor, and distribution networks that reflect the complex social and economic landscape of the late 19th century. Consider, too, how a readily available material like bronze shapes how we see power – isn’t that compelling? Editor: It's definitely a perspective I hadn't considered. Thanks, I've really gained a different appreciation of its purpose now. Curator: And for me, thinking about its role as a medium for widespread consumption changes the way I see what counts as political art.