Godard Ginkell, earl van Athlone, maarschalk van de Verenigde Nederlanden 1702

Editor: This object is a medal from 1702 by Martin Schmeltzing, commemorating Godard Ginkell, an Earl. It’s crafted from metal, probably silver, with engravings. I am immediately struck by how formal and idealized the portrait feels, and the back has a whole allegorical scene! What kind of symbolic language is at play here? Curator: Indeed! Notice how Ginkell is depicted in profile, adorned in armor and an elaborate wig. This consciously echoes classical portraiture conventions, immediately associating him with Roman emperors and military might. The portrait establishes him within a lineage of power and leadership. Editor: That's interesting, like visual propaganda? And what about the other side with the winged figures around that monument? Curator: Exactly! Consider the imagery on the reverse. We see bound figures flanking a victory monument. These are symbols loaded with cultural weight. Editor: What do they represent? Curator: The bound figures likely represent defeated enemies, serving to glorify Ginkell's military achievements and Dutch power. What feeling do you get from the placement of text on the victory monument? Editor: Hmm… it seems important! It separates the heavens – indicated by the flags and coats of arms at the top - from those figures in chains… it almost feels like a warning, to those defeated, below. It definitely adds a layer to how the medal is understood and is perpetuating its cultural memory! Curator: Precisely. Each of these symbols contributes to constructing and reinforcing Ginkell's image as a triumphant leader and upholder of Dutch authority. This object served as a tangible form of propaganda, circulating a specific narrative about power and victory. Editor: This exploration has really opened my eyes to how much these medals can communicate, going beyond a simple image of a historical figure. I learned how even something like a medal could act as propaganda, filled with complex layers of symbolism. Curator: Agreed. It underscores the power of images to shape historical narratives and solidify cultural memory.