Geboorte van Frederika Louise Wilhelmina, prinses van Oranje-Nassau 1770

Carel Frederik Konsé created this silver medal to commemorate the birth of Frederika Louise Wilhelmina, princess of Orange-Nassau. In this piece we are invited to consider the relationship between power, gender, and dynastic succession in the 18th century. On one side, we see the profiles of Frederika’s parents, rendered with a formal detachment befitting their status. On the other side, a cherubic infant floats amidst clouds, a symbol of hope and divine favor for the ruling house. The inscription suggests the fulfillment of the Netherlands' wishes, underscoring the crucial role of royal offspring in securing political stability. However, we might also ask, what does it mean to reduce a person, particularly a woman, to her reproductive capacity? What pressures and expectations were placed upon women of noble birth, whose primary duty was to produce heirs? This medal then is not only a celebration, but also a stark reminder of the gendered expectations that shaped women's lives.