Aanslag op Cremona door Eugenius Frans van Savoye en gevangenneming van Francois de Villeroy, maarschalk van Frankrijk 1702

This struck medal, commemorating the attack on Cremona, presents us with a fascinating study in miniature relief. One side features a high-relief bust, sharply detailed, set against a field of inscriptions. The crisp lines of the portrait contrast with the almost topographic rendering on the reverse: a depiction of Cremona, evoking a sense of place and historical moment. The medal's structure reflects the power dynamics of its time. The portrait, likely of a key military figure, asserts individual agency. The inscription acts as a frame, reinforcing the subject's identity. Meanwhile, the city view serves as a backdrop, a stage upon which the drama of war unfolds. Consider how the play of light across the medal's surface animates these scenes. The artist's ability to convey such detail within this limited space speaks to the cultural importance of capturing and disseminating historical narratives. These objects invite us to reconsider how even the smallest artworks can reveal complex layers of meaning.