Penning met het portret van Karel XII en de namen van Zweedse koningen 1685 - 1720

This intriguing medallion, portraying King Charles XII of Sweden, was crafted by an anonymous artist, using printmaking techniques, and is undated. The choice of printmaking is significant, as it democratizes the image, making it accessible to a wider audience. Look closely at the concentric circles filled with names and dates. The precision of the lettering, the fine lines of the portrait—these details speak to the skill of the printmaker. But they also hint at the broader social context of production. Printmaking allowed for the rapid dissemination of royal imagery, turning the King into a commodity. Consider the labor involved: the careful carving of the printing plate, the repetitive action of printing. The medallion becomes not just a portrait, but a testament to the labor and industrialization underpinning its creation. By focusing on the materials, processes, and social context of this medallion, we can appreciate its full complexity, challenging the traditional boundaries between art, craft, and the wider world of production.