Aantreden van Paus Innocentius XI 1676 1676

This bronze medal was made by Arvid Karlsteen in 1676. It depicts the accession of Pope Innocent XI. The medal is rich in cultural references that speak to the Pope's authority. On one side, we see Innocent in profile, inscribed with his title. The other side shows Saint Peter handing the keys to the kingdom of Heaven to a kneeling figure. This references the biblical passage where Christ bestows spiritual authority on Saint Peter, the first Pope. Made in Rome, the medal reflects the Catholic Church's claim to spiritual and political leadership. As a symbolic object distributed among the elite, it reinforced the institution of the papacy. For historians, medals like this serve as primary source documents. Studying them alongside other historical records helps reveal the complex interplay of art, religion, and power in the 17th century.