Milaan op de Fransen veroverd, rekenpenning van de rekenkamer 1524

This anonymous medal commemorates the conquest of Milan by the Dutch from the French. The dominant visual symbols are loaded with cultural meaning. On one side, we see a female figure, likely representing Milan, kneeling before a lion, symbol of the Dutch Republic. The act of kneeling is a powerful gesture, recurring throughout history to signify submission or reverence. We see it in ancient Egyptian depictions of conquered peoples and repeated in Renaissance paintings of religious scenes. Yet, its meaning isn't fixed. Think of the ancient Roman emperors receiving supplicants: the gesture reinforced social hierarchies. Over time, it can become a potent symbol of power dynamics. Here, the kneeling figure stirs deep emotions. Victory and defeat are primal, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. The image, though small, carries the weight of cultural memory, reminding us of the cyclical nature of power. It resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings in different historical contexts.