Bevrijding van Praag, overwinning bij Breslau en inname van Bratislava, rekenpenning geslagen ter ere van Karel Alexander, hertog van Lotharingen-Bar, landvoogd der zuidelijke Nederlanden 1758

Editor: We're looking at a medal, a "rekenpenning" made in 1758 by Jacques Roettiers. It commemorates several military victories and features a portrait of Karel Alexander. It feels very formal, very much of its time... all stiff portraiture and celebratory wreaths. What do you make of it? Curator: Oh, it speaks to a time when propaganda was as much about artistry as about… well, propaganda. Look at the exquisite detail Roettiers has captured; the folds of fabric, the hair... but then think about what this little piece of metal *represents*. Karel Alexander is presented as a victor – and, indeed, the reverse commemorates the liberation of Prague and other key wins – but is this purely about historical record, or more about cementing power? It reminds me of those Roman coins where emperors styled themselves as gods. Do you see that similarity, perhaps? Editor: Definitely! There’s a desire to create an image, a legacy. The details make it feel quite grandiose despite its small size. It's not just a coin, is it, but a carefully constructed statement. The tiny olive wreaths do add a nice touch to the inscription... a gesture to some future of tranquility or peace. I guess I want to understand how people actually *used* it. Curator: Precisely! It’s fascinating to think about these objects as instruments of influence, portable and persuasive. Whether people "used" it day to day is a different question -- these medals can have more than monetary value. What's the future for pieces like this now? That's a grand historical perspective, in concentrated form. Now what, indeed? Editor: This little piece embodies a huge swathe of history and ambition. Seeing it not just as an artifact but as a calculated message really brings it to life. Curator: Exactly! It nudges you, doesn’t it, to question the "official" stories. Keeps us questioning how narratives are spun, even now. Art is the world that can’t stop arguing, after all!