Landing van Willem III bij Torbay 1688

This silver medal, depicting the Landing van Willem III bij Torbay, was created by Jan (I) Smeltzing. The composition of the medal presents two distinct yet interconnected scenes, each contained within its circular frame. The medal compels us to contemplate how power is not just seized but also represented. The figure of William, rendered in meticulous detail, stands as a classical hero, but it's the structuring of space around him, the inscription, and the allegorical lion that truly convey the medal's intent. Notice the weight of the lion poised on the globe, sword in paw – not just a symbol of Dutch power, but a claim on global influence. The arrangement of the inscription, snaking around the central figures, acts as a linguistic frame, directing our interpretation of the visual elements. The medal is not merely commemorative; it’s a carefully constructed argument about legitimacy, divine favor, and the projection of power onto the world stage. The way these elements interact invites us to decode the semiotic system at play.