Verdrag tussen Frankrijk en Algiers 1688

This anonymous silver medal commemorates the treaty between France and Algiers. It offers a glimpse into the complex relationships between European powers and North African states. Within the imagery and text inscribed, power dynamics are palpable. The medal reflects the 17th and 18th century context of piracy and enslavement, revealing the inherent tensions between diplomatic efforts and the brutal realities of maritime conflict. How did such transactions affect those who were captured and bartered as commodities? How does the imagery celebrate a form of peace while obscuring the violence upon which such treaties were built? As we consider the historical narratives embedded in this medal, let's also reflect on the lives and stories that are missing from the record. What stories of resistance, resilience, and cultural exchange have been lost to the dominance of colonial narratives?