Vrede van Luneville, ter ere van Napoleon Bonaparte, premier consul van Frankrijk 1801

Curator: This coin, created by Johan George Holtzhey in 1801, commemorates the Peace of Lunéville, honoring Napoleon Bonaparte as First Consul of France. It's currently held at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: It strikes me as a somewhat severe object, all cool silver, sharp lines and Latin inscriptions. What do you make of the message encoded within such austere aesthetics? Curator: The material itself – probably silver – would have signaled value and importance. Coinage, traditionally controlled by the state, here becomes a tool of propaganda, reinforcing Napoleon's image. Think about how a mass-produced object becomes a symbol of personalized power. Editor: Exactly. I find it darkly ironic. The "peace" seems less about genuine reconciliation and more about celebrating Bonaparte's strategic triumphs. Almost like a trophy fashioned from noble metal. Look how rigid and composed the portrait of Napoleon is! There is also something tragic about freezing something as transient and fragile as peace in heavy metal like this. Curator: I agree, these commemorative items can often reinforce particular viewpoints, solidifying dominant narratives and power structures. Consider how Holtzhey, as a maker, played a role in crafting Napoleon’s persona for public consumption. The coin served not only as currency, but also as a message bearer. The production is excellent in replicating a familiar figure, like printing something. Editor: True. This raises questions of how craftsmanship is wielded. There's that almost chilling perfection in capturing Napoleon’s profile, transforming him into an archetype... It gives me pause to imagine people carrying a miniature representation of political prowess within their everyday economic exchanges. A powerful everyday message, don't you think? Curator: It truly is. By scrutinizing these types of artifacts we get an understanding of material culture. It gives tangible evidence that enables a glimpse into not just economics and distribution but power and messaging as well. The scale of this would lead people to consider, what message would people get holding this. Editor: I'll look at peace treaties the same way again. Thinking more about the manufacturing process and dissemination puts the agency and deliberate choices made by its manufacturers in sharp focus. The visual effect on people, the labor it cost to mint them, etc... very powerful!