Filips II, koning van Spanje 1576

Editor: This bronze carving from 1576 depicts Filips II, King of Spain. Looking at it, I’m immediately struck by its age, but also by how imposing the king appears, even in such a small format. How do you interpret this work? Curator: What stands out to me is the way this object encapsulates the complex relationship between power, representation, and religious conflict during the Renaissance. Medals like these weren't just portraits; they were tools of propaganda, designed to project an image of authority and legitimacy during a period of immense upheaval, especially with the rise of Protestantism. Editor: Propaganda, even as art? Curator: Precisely! Consider the context: Philip II was a staunch defender of Catholicism, and his reign was marked by brutal suppression of Protestant uprisings, particularly in the Netherlands. A seemingly simple object carries the weight of colonial ambitions and religious intolerance, which profoundly affected countless lives and continues to shape political discourse today. Who has the right to tell the story? Whose faces are considered worthy to memorialize? What tools do they use, and for what audience? Editor: That's a sobering thought. It makes you consider the stories behind the images we often take for granted. Curator: Absolutely. And consider the visual language: his regal attire, the precise carving, the very material itself. Bronze was associated with strength and permanence, reinforcing the idea of an enduring dynasty. Even the act of distributing these medals was a political statement, extending his influence through material culture. What do you make of the inscription on the reverse? Editor: It seems to be an allegorical emblem - a sword over a book and something like, "Not a Divine New Law"? It appears ready to dominate heresy through violence. I will never see old coins in the same light! Curator: Exactly! That is what the inscription conveys and represents what rulers thought the people needed at that time. I’m glad you see how something like this prompts critical thinking and historical understanding.