Zeeslag bij Vigo (Vigos): het verbranden van de Franse en Spaanse vloot 1702

Editor: So, this is “Zeeslag bij Vigo (Vigos): het verbranden van de Franse en Spaanse vloot” – the naval battle of Vigo, and the burning of the French and Spanish fleet–created around 1702 by Martin Schmeltzing. It looks like a medal or coin of some kind. It seems to depict quite a bit of symbolic imagery. How do you interpret this work? Curator: Well, beyond its function as a commemorative medal made of metal, let's think about what this piece *does*. Medals like these were not passive objects; they were tools of propaganda and power. Consider the historical context: this medal depicts the Battle of Vigo Bay in 1702 during the War of the Spanish Succession. What do you notice about which nations are celebrated versus demonized through its imagery? Editor: I guess I hadn’t thought about the level of... spin that was happening in real time. I suppose I see what looks like a French symbol that is under attack, while what looks like English royal imagery feels like the focus. Curator: Exactly! And who would have possessed or viewed this medal? What socio-economic class? Understanding who it speaks to, or *for*, is key to interpreting its narrative. How does situating this object within the complex web of 18th-century European power struggles shift your understanding? Editor: It makes me think more critically about whose story is being told and how biases are embedded in even seemingly objective historical artifacts. Curator: Precisely. Recognizing those power dynamics helps us engage with the piece not just as a historical document, but as a carefully constructed argument. What have we learned? Editor: I now understand how important it is to consider historical context and the intended audience when analyzing art. It’s really more than just aesthetics or historical record.