Overlijden van Hendrik VIII, koning van Engeland 1725

This silver medal, commemorating the death of Henry VIII, King of England, was created by Jean Dassier. Dassier, working in the 18th century, was deeply engaged with the legacy and imagery of historical figures and events. On one side, we see a portrait of Henry VIII, capturing his regal status. Flip it over, and we are confronted with a scene of mourning, a figure slumped in grief before a monument being struck by another figure with a hammer. Consider the historical context: Henry VIII's reign was marked by religious upheaval and ruthless exercise of power. This medal, produced long after his death, invites reflection on his legacy. Was he a transformative leader or a tyrant? By presenting both his public image and a scene of grief, Dassier encourages us to confront the complexities of history and the various ways a figure like Henry VIII could be remembered. How do we reconcile the grandeur of power with the human cost of its exercise?