Verdrag van Passau, ter ere van Karel V, Duits keizer 1553

This bronze medal commemorates the Treaty of Passau and celebrates Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor. Though the artist remains anonymous, the piece offers a glimpse into the complex socio-political landscape of the 16th century. This medal reflects a pivotal moment in European history, a time marked by religious conflict and shifting power dynamics. Charles V, a dominant figure of his era, faced immense challenges in maintaining control over his vast empire. The Treaty of Passau was a truce, a temporary cessation of hostilities between Charles V and the Protestant princes. The imagery on the medal – Charles V's portrait and the imperial eagle – underscores themes of authority and dominion, yet it also speaks to the fragile nature of power, dependent on treaties and alliances. The medal serves not only as a historical record but also as a potent symbol of the tensions between ambition, identity, and the realities of governance.