Erection of the Church of Laeken, 1854 (Church of St. Mary, Notre Dame), in Memory of Queen Louise d'Orleans

Art Historical Context

This exquisite bronze medal, crafted in 1854 by the Belgian father-son duo Jakob and Leopold Wiener,ates the erection of the Church of Our of Laeken (Notre de Laeken) in. Measuring just 2⅞ inches (73 mm) in diameter, it belongs to the refined tradition of 19th-century medals and plaquettes, small-scale sculptures prized for their intricate relief work and portability. The Wiens, masters of neoclassical medal-making, likely featured elegant profile portraits—evident from the tags noting women and profiles—capturing the solemnity of royal remembrance. The medal honors Queen Louise-Marie d'Orléans, the beloved first queen consort of Belgium, who died tragically young in 1850 at age 38. King Leopold I commissioned the Gothic Revival church as her mausoleum, a poignant symbol of national mourning and architectural ambition during Belgium's early years as an independent kingdom. Struck just four years later, this piece reflects the era's blend of personal grief and public commemoration, where medals served as affordable keepsakes for the elite. As a highlight of European sculpture, it showcases the Wiens' technical prowess in bronze casting, achieving fine details in a miniature format. Today, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art thanks to a 1926 gift, it invites visitors to ponder how tiny artworks encapsulated grand historical moments.

About the Artist

Jakob Wiener|Leopold Wiener (Belgian|Belgian) · 1815 |1823 –1899 |1891

Belgian, 1815–1899|Belgian, Venlo 1823–1891 Brussels