Vertrek van de markies van Castel Rodrigo, landvoogd der zuidelijke Nederlanden 1668

This bronze medal depicting ‘The Departure of the Marquis of Castel Rodrigo’ was created by Denis Waterloos. Its circular form, with its beaded edges, immediately draws the eye to the meticulously detailed scenes on either side. One side presents a bust of the Marquis in profile, framed by an inscription. Here, Waterloos employs line and contour to define form, inviting us to study the Marquis' features and bearing. The reverse side teems with life: a panoramic landscape filled with figures on horseback. The composition uses spatial depth to convey the scale of the Marquis’s entourage. This detailed depiction of motion captures a sense of the Marquis’s authority and his departure as a momentous event. The medal operates as a signifier of power and historical narrative. Its form, while simple, embodies the complexity of representing authority and commemorating historical events. It prompts us to reflect on the relationship between art, power, and memory.