Rusland verwerft de Krim en Kuban op de conventie van Constantinopel, ter ere van Catharina II de Grote, tsarina van Rusland 1784

This silver medal, by Abraham Abramson, commemorates Russia's acquisition of Crimea and Kuban under Catherine II. The medal's circular form immediately suggests themes of completeness and cyclical power. One side features a profile of Catherine II, encircled by text, celebrating her reign. On the reverse, the composition is divided into clear visual planes: a supplicant figure kneels before a standing, authoritative figure, likely representing Russia, offering a laurel, symbolizing victory and peace. The arrangement reflects hierarchical power dynamics. The medal's monochromatic palette focuses our attention on the texture and relief of the figures, created through meticulous engraving. The medal operates semiotically: the laurel, the posture of the figures, and the inscriptions are all signs that encode messages of Russian imperial triumph.