Overlijden van Leopold I, Duits keizer 1705

This silver medal, commemorating the death of Leopold I, German Emperor, was designed by Georg Hautsch. The coin, with its circular form, presents two distinct yet connected compositions on each side, unified by their shared metallic materiality. On one side, a detailed profile of Leopold I is encircled by Latin inscriptions, which immediately situates the work within a tradition of power and historical record. The effigy's intricate detailing – from the elaborate wig to the ornate garments – speaks to a formal concern with representation and status. The reverse shows an allegorical scene. Note the figure riding an eagle, gesturing towards divine authority, further reinforces themes of power and legacy. This medal not only marks a historical event but also operates within a semiotic system of signs, employing symbolic imagery to convey complex ideas about rulership, divinity, and memory.