Monument Koningin Wilhelmina

Monument Koningin Wilhelmina in Den Haag, Netherlands, is quite possibly the least flattering royal monument or portrait ever made. Unveiled in 1987, 25 years after the famous Dutch Queen Wilhelmina’s death, the exceptionally plump and shapeless figure barely looks human, never mind regal. Perhaps Dutch royalty, always rather Protestant and Reformed, is closer to Cromwell’s famous adage about his portrait (“warts and all”) than most other European rulers who wished to be remembered for their splendour. Their patronage artists and sculptors purchase with flattery.

Satan flatters.

False religion flatters.

Apostate Christianity flatters.

Worst of all, we self-flatter.

With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him. Proverbs 7:21

The Bible, in contrast, never soft-soaps, sweet-talks or gushingly praises us. It denounces our idolatry and exposes our sin. Then, having established the ugly facts, it points us to a beautiful and gracious Saviour -Jesus Christ.

I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer. Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever. Ps 45:1b-2