Medaille met het portret van Ulrika Eleonora en tegenzijde 1705 - 1769

Christian Fritzsch created this print of a medallion portraying Ulrika Eleonora. The symbolic language of this piece is a fascinating blend of royal authority and allegorical representation. On one side, we see Ulrika Eleonora in profile, her image encircled by Latin text asserting her royal status. Yet, it’s the other side of the medallion that truly captures our imagination. Here, a female figure reclines on clouds, a visual trope echoing classical depictions of goddesses. The crown and scepter at her feet are not merely symbols of power; they evoke a sense of divine right and destiny. Consider how similar imagery appears throughout history. Figures on clouds appear in both religious and secular contexts, from depictions of the Virgin Mary to allegorical representations of fame or victory. The act of bestowing a crown, seen here, is a recurring motif in art. We see this in the coronation ceremonies depicted in medieval manuscripts. These images all tap into a deep, primal desire for recognition, status, and, ultimately, immortality.