Graafschap Bourgondië in tien dagen veroverd 1668

Curator: Here we have a medal created in 1668 by Jean Warin, commemorating the conquest of the County of Burgundy in ten days. Editor: It has a weighty, almost solemn feel to it. The silvery metal gives it a subdued luster, which suits the historic subject matter perfectly. Curator: Warin was a master of metalwork. This medal showcases his skill in capturing detail, even in a relatively small format. Notice the portrait of Louis XIV on one side? Editor: Yes, the king’s profile is quite striking, and the elaborate wig and drapery certainly speak to the luxury and power associated with the court. I wonder about the process of striking a medal like this—the labor involved, the molds. Was it a purely royal commission? Curator: Absolutely, this was commissioned to reinforce royal power, demonstrating Louis XIV’s military successes, his ability to rapidly conquer territories, which would certainly contribute to constructing a heroic image of the monarch, reinforcing absolutist claims. The inscription around his head further supports that. Editor: The reverse depicts a chariot of Victory pulled by horses, a potent symbol of military might. And the depiction of Burgundy beneath? Curator: A classical visual trope, sure, but it served its propaganda purpose in celebrating France's swift victory and expanding territorial control in a way that associated the monarch with power. Medals like this served as tools of diplomacy and gifts, circulated amongst elites. Editor: I imagine they would have been incredibly tactile. Something about holding that physical manifestation of power… it makes it much more tangible than, say, a painting of a similar theme. Curator: A point well taken. The medal's function was tied directly to promoting a very particular historical narrative of swift victory under Louis XIV. These objects help us understand how societies shape collective memory. Editor: Thinking about the materiality, it brings a completely different texture to how one understands royal representation at this moment in history. Curator: Indeed. Examining its purpose reveals the intricate relationship between art, politics, and power. Editor: Right, something as ostensibly simple as a metal disk shows so much complexity when you consider its material history and broader context.