Slag bij Oudenaarde 1708

This silver medal, commemorating the Battle of Oudenarde, was crafted in 1708 by John Croker. On one side, we see Queen Anne, her profile framed by Latin inscriptions declaring her titles. Yet it is the reverse side that truly captivates. Here, two defeated figures kneel beside a triumphal column, draped with flags. This image resonates with ancient Roman motifs of conquest and subjugation. Consider the repeated use of bound figures in triumphal arches throughout the Roman Empire, designed to evoke the power of the victor and the submission of the vanquished. This motif reappears centuries later. The posture of the figures embodies defeat, a visual echo of despair. Note how such symbols persist, transformed yet recognizable. It is a potent reminder of how collective memory shapes and reshapes the symbols of power and defeat.