Karel II, koning van Spanje, rekenpenning geslagen op last van de stad Brugge Possibly 1694 - 1700

This is a copper medal, commissioned by the city of Bruges and designed by Philippe Roëttiers. The act of striking a medal is a potent one, often used to commemorate important events or figures. This example depicts Charles II of Spain. The incised lettering and the relief of the figures speak to a skilled hand, and the use of copper as a base material is no accident. Copper was a workhorse metal, essential to the early modern economy, and its role in coinage made it a symbol of prosperity. The medal's size also invites a specific kind of handling, and one can imagine the tactile pleasure of holding it, feeling the weight of the metal, and tracing the outlines of the design. In this way, the medal becomes more than just a representation of power, but a tangible object that invites interaction and engagement, as well as questions the relationship between art and industry.