Medal Design, Peace with Olive Branch: PAX VBIQUE VICTRIX 1763

Curator: This is "Medal Design, Peace with Olive Branch: PAX VBIQUE VICTRIX," attributed to Louis-Claude Vassé. It is a circular drawing with classical figures rendered in reddish-brown ink. Editor: I’m struck by how this drawing communicates a sense of serenity despite its depiction of peace after presumed conflict. What compositional elements contribute to this feeling? Curator: Consider the carefully balanced composition. The standing figure’s verticality is juxtaposed with the reclining figure’s horizontality, creating a visual equilibrium. Editor: So the balanced figures create the feeling of serenity. I noticed that the title, PAX VBIQUE VICTRIX, translates to "Peace, Everywhere Victorious," which seems ironic now, considering the war. Curator: Indeed, and that tension plays out in the formal elements. The precision of line, the controlled washes, and the circular format all contribute to a sense of order imposed upon potential chaos. Editor: Fascinating. The artist uses form to communicate complex ideas about peace and victory. Curator: Precisely. It’s a testament to the power of visual language.