Opening van de internationale tentoonstelling van industrie in het Crystal Palace te Londen, ter ere van Victoria, koningin van Groot-Britannië en Albert, prins van Saksen-Coburg-Gotha

About this artwork

diameter 8.9 cm

Art Historical Context

This striking medal, created by British medallist William Wyon in 1851, commemorates the opening of the Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations at London’s Crystal Palace. Measuring just 8.9 centimeters in diameter, the piece was produced through the traditional technique of die-striking, in which molten metal is pressed between engraved dies to create raised relief portraits and inscriptions. Its Dutch title indicates it was likely intended for an international audience celebrating the event’s global reach. The Great Exhibition, organized under the patronage of Prince Albert and opened by Queen Victoria, was the first world’s fair and a landmark of Victorian Britain. It showcased industrial innovation and imperial achievement to over six million visitors, symbolizing an era of technological optimism. Wyon, chief engraver at the Royal Mint and a leading figure in nineteenth-century medal design, brought classical precision and fine detail to such commemorative works, ensuring they served both as historical records and portable works of art. As a modest yet finely crafted object, the medal allowed visitors and dignitaries to carry home a tangible reminder of this landmark moment in industrial history. Its careful execution reflects the high standards of Victorian metalworking while preserving the grandeur of an exhibition that shaped modern ideas of progress and international exchange.

About the Artist

William Wyon · 1795–1851

British, Birmingham 1795–1851 Brighton