Bedrieglijke vredesvoorstellen van Lodewijk XIV 1693

This silver medal, “Deceitful peace proposals of Louis XIV,” was made by Jan Smeltzing, probably towards the end of his life. Notice how the medal’s composition is divided into two distinct scenes, each a formal response to the other. The first scene presents Louis XIV enthroned, receiving peace envoys from the Dutch Republic. Louis is foregrounded as the primary subject of the scene. Yet, a semiotic reading suggests the figures standing to the left, offer an interesting counterpoint to the grandiosity of Louis XIV, implying skepticism. The second scene contrasts sharply with the first. The visual elements—a statue of Peace on a pedestal, a broken olive branch, and a radiant sun—collectively symbolize the marred state of peace and the potential for renewal. The medal uses formal oppositions to destabilize the traditional heroic narrative. The use of symbols in both scenes invites a deeper engagement with the political undertones of the artwork. The medal’s value lies in its ability to foster discourse around the complexities of peace, power, and representation.