Protest van Jacobus III Stewart, de 'Old Pretender' tegen de heerschappij van het huis van Hannover 1721

This is a medal, roughly 5cm in diameter, made by Ottone Hamerani. It depicts James III, the 'Old Pretender', protesting the rule of the House of Hanover. The medal is a fascinating object because it embodies the politics of imagery. The profile of James III on one side mimics the visual codes of royalty. It is a clear attempt to assert legitimacy and garner support. On the other side, we see an allegorical scene with classical figures, indicating an engagement with a shared European visual culture. The city in the background is Rome, suggesting where the medal was made, and the base of Jacobite operations at this time. What makes this medal so interesting is that it serves as a form of propaganda, a way to stake a claim in the public sphere, and to rally support for a cause. Historical sources, like letters and pamphlets, can tell us more about the cultural and political context in which such objects were made and circulated. Examining this medal through the lens of social and institutional history allows us to understand the public role of art and its capacity to challenge existing social norms.