Besancon opnieuw door de Fransen ingenomen, rekenpenning geslagen op last van Lodewijk XIV, koning van Frankrijk 1674

This is an anonymous medal struck under Louis XIV, King of France, commemorating the recapture of Besançon. The medal's circular form is divided into two distinct fields. One side presents a profile of King Louis XIV, his features finely rendered to convey authority. In contrast, the reverse features a cannon aimed towards a city, symbolized by a cluster of buildings. The cannon's placement suggests a unidirectional force, an imposed will upon the besieged city. The medal’s design employs a clear semiotic system. The King’s effigy signifies power, while the cannon represents military might. The composition, with its direct and forceful imagery, reflects the historical context of territorial conquest and the assertion of sovereignty. As a cultural artifact, it speaks to the persuasive use of imagery in shaping historical narratives. Consider how this object, though small in scale, encapsulates themes of power, conquest, and representation, inviting reflection on how such narratives are constructed and conveyed.