Two guineas coin of George I 1717

Editor: Here we have a gold Two Guineas coin of George I, created around 1717 by John Croker. The profile portrait is very striking. How do you interpret this work, placing it in its historical context? Curator: This coin isn't just currency; it's a potent symbol of power and privilege in the early 18th century. The very material, gold, speaks to colonial extraction and wealth accumulation. Consider whose labor enabled the creation of this coin. Where did that gold originate? Editor: I hadn't thought about it in those terms. I was mostly focused on the artistry of the portrait. Curator: Exactly, the portrait! It's deliberately crafted to project an image of regal authority. Think about the messages it conveys to the people who held it, or, more likely, never even touched such a valuable piece. It perpetuates a very specific social hierarchy. And how does that visual language, of idealised male power, continue to resonate even today? Editor: So it’s not just about the King, but the entire system supporting him? Curator: Precisely. This coin becomes a lens through which to examine the social and economic disparities of the time. It encourages us to question whose stories are amplified and whose are silenced by these symbols of authority. Editor: That gives me a completely different perspective. It makes me think about the coin as a form of propaganda, reinforcing the power structures of the era. Curator: Indeed! And considering those structures critically is key to understanding not just the art, but its enduring impact. It makes me consider issues surrounding colonialism, capitalism, and their continuing legacy within society today. Editor: Thank you, seeing it as part of that bigger picture makes it much more meaningful. Curator: It’s about recognizing how objects, even something as small as a coin, participate in larger conversations about power and identity.