Inhuldiging van Karel II van Spanje als graaf van Vlaanderen 1666

Curator: Here we have a piece entitled "Inhuldiging van Karel II van Spanje als graaf van Vlaanderen," or in English, "The Inauguration of Charles II of Spain as Count of Flanders." It's from 1666, but the creator remains anonymous. Editor: It has the cool, smooth luster I associate with metalwork, like a coin you'd find after digging in the earth. It’s so small and worn, I wonder about all the hands it passed through. Curator: Well, coins and medals were often commissioned to commemorate significant political events. Think of them as miniature portable billboards of the era. This one would have circulated amongst the political class, spreading the imagery of power. Editor: And what imagery it is! Look at how the figure, presumably Charles, is centered under what looks like a radiant crown. Even the very texture of the metal gives the impression of a heavenly blessing being conferred. You can almost smell the sulphur and alchemy involved. Curator: Exactly! Note how it utilizes the visual language of the baroque—dramatic lighting, a sense of movement, all compressed onto this small metallic surface. Editor: Tell me more about that making process, that alchemy that binds history. I mean, what were the labor conditions for these engravers? Who profits when propaganda becomes 'art?' Curator: The medal acts as both a historical record and a piece of political machinery. These images helped legitimize rulers. Consider, who was left out? How did the broader populace receive images like this when their lives were often steeped in poverty? Editor: And look how something meant to project permanence feels so fragile now. The wear and tear tells a story too; the fingerprints, the tarnish… they transform this political artifact into a tangible piece of history we can still handle and consider. Curator: It invites us to question whose story is really told through official channels. What remains of their power is this question we now possess. Editor: Absolutely. It’s amazing how this simple piece of worked metal becomes so rich when we question both the sweat and symbolism invested within it.