Kroning van Karel XI tot koning van Zweden 1675

This silver medal depicts the coronation of Charles XI of Sweden. The reverse shows the king kneeling, head bowed, receiving his crown from the hand of God emerging from the clouds. This gesture, rich with symbolism, immediately evokes a divine right to rule, a notion as old as kingship itself. We see echoes of this in Byzantine mosaics, where Christ crowns emperors, legitimizing their earthly power through heavenly endorsement. The motif surfaces again and again—in medieval illuminated manuscripts, Renaissance paintings, and even political cartoons. It evolves, adapting to new contexts, yet the underlying message remains: authority sanctioned from above. The act of kneeling itself is psychologically charged, conveying submission and reverence, emotions deeply embedded in our collective understanding of power dynamics. This image, therefore, isn't just a historical record; it's a potent symbol tapping into primal feelings about authority, divinity, and the eternal quest for legitimacy.