Overtocht van Marie Louise van Orleans naar Spanje, rekenpenning van Jacques Louis Madoets, heer van Boetsvaert, vijftigste intendant van de vaart van Brussel 1680

This small bronze medal commemorates the voyage of Marie Louise d'Orléans to Spain in 1680. Given its size and weight, it was likely produced using a casting process, with the fine details added by hand with engraving tools. The appeal of this object lies in the precision of its manufacture. The intricate details of the heraldic shield and the ship bearing Marie Louise and her entourage speak to the expertise required in die-making and metalworking. The repetition of these images on multiple medals speaks to the advent of early industrial production. The making of this medal would have involved the labor of various artisans, each with specialized skills. The division of labor stands in contrast to the singular vision we often associate with fine art. Yet, this medal, like all works of art, bears the traces of its making, reminding us of the social and economic context in which it was produced. In studying it, we gain insight into the wider world of craft, labor, and early capitalism.