Charles IX, 1550-1574, King of France 1560 1561

This silver medal portraying Charles IX, King of France, circa 1560-1574, compels us to consider the function of portraiture as a semiotic system. The circular form, a self-contained universe, frames the king in profile, a composition that evokes classical coins and medals, thus linking Charles to a lineage of power. Note the textures rendered in metal: the soft cap, the quilted collar, and the smooth skin of the king. These elements serve not only to depict likeness but also to construct an image of royal authority. The inscription that encircles the portrait further reinforces his identity and reign. The medal’s creation reflects a broader cultural interest in permanence, legacy, and the power of representation. It invites us to decode the visual language of power and to understand how such objects participate in constructing and disseminating ideology. Consider how the formal qualities of this medal—its shape, texture, and inscription—contribute to its function as a carrier of meaning, then and now.