Inname van Neuss door Alessandro Farnese, hertog van Parma, rekenpenning van de raad van Financien 1586

This is a copper alloy medal, made anonymously, commemorating the 1586 capture of Neuss by Alessandro Farnese, Duke of Parma. This medal speaks to the complex socio-political landscape of the 16th century, marked by religious conflict and dynastic power struggles. The imagery creates meaning through visual codes of heraldry and power. On one side, we see the arms of Neuss alongside those of Alessandro Farnese, linked together, and on the other side, the Spanish royal arms. These symbols broadcast a clear message of dominance and control. The medal was produced during the Dutch Revolt, a period when the Netherlands was fighting for independence from Spanish rule, so the Council of Finance produced this medal for symbolic purposes. Historians look at such objects as potent forms of propaganda. Contemporary sources, such as letters, pamphlets, and official records, help us understand the medal's intended audience and its impact on public opinion. Through careful analysis, we can better understand the complex interplay between art, power, and social change in early modern Europe.