Aankomst van Maximiliaan Emanuel, keurvorst van Beieren, landvoogd van de Spaanse Nederlanden te Brussel 1692

This silver medal commemorating the arrival of Maximilian Emanuel in Brussels, was designed by Philipp Heinrich Müller. It offers us a glimpse into the intricate power dynamics of 17th-century Europe. The medal celebrates Maximilian Emanuel, a Bavarian Elector, assuming the role of Governor of the Spanish Netherlands. His arrival in Brussels was a significant political event, marking a shift in regional power. These medals were carefully designed to convey messages of authority, legitimacy, and the supposed benevolence of the ruler. Consider this medal not just as a historical artifact, but as a carefully crafted piece of propaganda. The imagery and inscriptions work together to create a specific narrative, designed to shape public opinion and reinforce the existing social order. It makes you wonder about the lives and experiences of those who were subject to this rule, and how they navigated the complex web of power and privilege represented by figures like Maximilian Emanuel.