Verovering van de schansen bij Denain, rekenpenning geslagen ter ere van Lodewijk Alexander, graaf van Toulouse 1713

This silver medal, crafted by Jean Dollin, commemorates the conquest of Denain, celebrating Louis Alexander, Count of Toulouse. A profile of Louis is presented, and on the other side artillery is firing at the fortification. The symbol of artillery reminds us of the Roman god of war, Mars, whose power was often depicted through weapons of destruction. Yet, here, the cannon is not just a weapon, it represents a calculated logic. The inscription 'Ratio ultima regum', 'the ultimate argument of kings', suggests that war is the final, rational recourse of rulers. This symbol transcends time. We observe similar motifs of military might in ancient Roman coins, designed to evoke awe and assert authority. The controlled explosion mirrors humanity's complex relationship with power, oscillating between destruction and creation, resonating deeply within our collective psyche. The reappearance of such imagery demonstrates how cultural memory imprints itself upon our consciousness, influencing the narratives we construct around power and conflict.