Mary Tudor (1516-1558) c. 1902

Editor: Here we have an anonymous medal depicting Mary Tudor, who lived from 1516 to 1558. It feels very formal, very… official. What symbols stand out to you in this piece? Curator: Note how the two sides present contrasting yet complementary images. One side presents Mary as a queen, the other seemingly as a bringer of peace. The temple is interesting here. What do temples symbolize? Editor: Stability, maybe? Religion, power... Curator: Indeed. And consider the figure offering an olive branch, set against the queen’s stoic profile. These are carefully chosen motifs, meant to convey a very specific message. Editor: So it's not just a portrait, but a symbolic statement about her reign. I never thought about it that way. Curator: Exactly! It allows us to delve deeper into the cultural memory surrounding Mary Tudor, beyond just the historical narrative.