Awarded by the Royal Academy of G.F. Munn for Studies from Life, 1874 1874

This medal, "Awarded by the Royal Academy of G.F. Munn for Studies from Life," was struck in 1874 but designed by William Wyon, who died in 1851. It presents a profile of Queen Victoria, a powerful female monarch, yet the gaze is passive and averted, embodying conventional 19th-century notions of femininity. The medal was awarded to recognize excellence in “studies from life,” and in its own way, it's a study of Victoria, an object that speaks to how powerful figures are viewed. The Latin inscription, "Victoria D.G. Britanniarum Regina," asserts Victoria’s divinely granted authority as Queen. The title "Patrona" suggests a nurturing, supportive role, aligning her with traditional expectations of women. Consider how the creation and awarding of this medal reinforce gendered power dynamics, offering insight into the complex relationship between identity, authority, and representation in Victorian England. It's a potent image, but what does it leave unsaid?