Penning met het portret van aartsbisschop Johan Hugo van Orsbeck en de namen van de keurvorsten van Trier 1711

This circular medal, of unknown date, commemorates Archbishop Johan Hugo van Orsbeck of Trier and lists the electors of Trier. It’s an engraving, likely on copper or a similar soft metal, a process involving meticulous carving into the surface to hold ink. The material itself speaks volumes. Metal, unlike ephemeral paper, lends an air of permanence and importance. The engraving process, with its fine lines and precise detail, suggests a desire for accuracy, a claim to historical truth. Consider the labor involved: the skilled hand of the engraver, painstakingly cutting the image and text in reverse. This wasn't mass production; each medal would have been relatively precious, intended for a select audience. The medal operates as a statement of power, linking the Archbishop to a lineage of authority. The choice of metal, the intricacy of the engraving, and the historical information all combine to create an object that embodies political and religious power. It’s a reminder that even seemingly simple objects can be powerful tools in shaping perceptions and reinforcing social hierarchies.