Onderwerping van Ierland door Willem III 1691

This medal, made by Jan (I) Smeltzing, commemorates the subjugation of Ireland by William III. The circular form is immediately striking, and the raised relief carving invites a tactile engagement, suggesting both power and permanence. The medal's semiotic structure is carefully constructed. On one side, the conjoined profiles of William and Mary establish a clear symbolic unity and authority. The other side shows a lion dominating a cluster of figures, visually enacting the concept of "onderwerping," or subjugation. The cityscape in the background situates this domination within a specific geographical and political context, reinforcing the medal's intended message. Consider how the artist uses the limited space to convey complex political ideas. The medium itself, likely bronze or a similar metal, lends a sense of gravitas and historical weight. The medal is not just an aesthetic object but a potent symbol, designed to shape perception and cement historical narratives. Its existence invites ongoing critical interpretation of power, representation, and historical memory.