Charles IX of France (1550-1574) c. 1902

Curator: This bronze plaquette depicts Charles IX of France, who reigned from 1560 to 1574. It's an anonymous piece, a small roundel measuring about 15 centimeters across. Editor: The first thing that strikes me is the duality. There's this very ornate, high-relief portrait on one side, then a rather defaced image on the other. Curator: Indeed, the obverse projects power, with that feathered cap, elaborate ruff, and confident gaze. It reflects the symbols of kingship and authority. The reverse, less detailed, presents a different narrative. Editor: Given the context of Charles IX’s reign, infamous for the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre, is that defacement deliberate? Was this an act of protest, perhaps? Or simply wear and tear on a commonly handled object? Curator: It’s hard to say definitively. Perhaps the act of defacement also served as a symbolic undoing of his image. Editor: Either way, it is a potent reminder that the image, even on bronze, can be manipulated and re-interpreted, shifting its meaning according to its material condition and its handling. Curator: A fascinating glimpse into how representations of power can become charged sites of memory and even resistance.