Bescherming van de Rooms-Katholieke kerk door de hertog van Parma 1592

This small medal, made by an anonymous artist, gives us a fascinating insight into the religious and political turmoil of its time. During the 16th century, the Dutch Republic was in the throes of the Eighty Years' War, fighting for independence from Spanish rule and deeply divided between Catholics and Protestants. This medal, titled "Protection of the Roman Catholic Church by the Duke of Parma," throws us right into this conflict. Alexander Farnese, the Duke of Parma, was a key figure in the Spanish efforts to suppress the Dutch Revolt. On one side, we see a portrait of the Duke himself, a symbol of power and authority. The reverse shows him on horseback, ready for battle. The inscription, "He gives strength and courage against the enemy," underscores the medal's intention to portray Parma as a protector of the Catholic faith. Medals like these were not just objects of art; they were instruments of propaganda, meant to shape public opinion and bolster support for a particular cause. They remind us that art is often entangled with power, used to promote certain agendas and silence others.