Vrede van Aken, ter ere van Karel II, koning van Spanje 1668

This is a medal by Adriaan Waterloos, commemorating the Peace of Aachen, likely created shortly after the event. The medal, small in scale and circular in form, utilizes the visual language of power and authority typical of the period. Observe how the composition is structured around binary oppositions. On one side, a profile of King Charles II, encircled by text, embodies monarchy and individual power. The other side features symbolic imagery: crossed anchors and swords beneath a crown, framed by foliage and Latin text. The tension between portraiture and symbolic representation highlights the multifaceted nature of power. The materiality of the silver and the relief carving add depth, transforming a flat surface into a three-dimensional object. The use of Latin script invites interpretation within a classical framework, where symbols carry specific cultural and political weight. Notice, though, that these signs are not fixed; instead they participate in a broader discourse on power, peace, and representation, open to continuous re-evaluation across time.