Marriage of Victoria and Albert 1840

This silver medal commemorating the marriage of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert was made by Benjamin Wyon. The medal presents their conjoined profiles, uniting the royal couple in a symbolic gesture. But this wasn't just a celebration of love, it was a carefully orchestrated political event. Victoria needed a husband, and Albert, from the German House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, was deemed a suitable match, securing alliances and dynastic stability. The imagery on the medal, rendered in the restrained Neoclassical style, served to reinforce the monarchy's authority and project an image of virtuous leadership. The creation of commemorative medals was overseen by institutions such as the Royal Mint and promoted a particular vision of national identity and social order. To fully understand the medal's significance, we need to delve into the archives, scrutinize official records, and consider the broader socio-political context of Victorian Britain. The history of art is always contingent on social and institutional context.