Commemorating the Visit of Louis-Philippe, Queen Marie Amélie, and the Royal Children to the Mint, November 8, 1833 1833

This bronze medal by Jean-Jacques Barre commemorates Louis-Philippe’s visit to the Mint in 1833, showcasing the profiles of the King and Queen Marie Amélie. Above them, a figure with outstretched arms hovers, reminiscent of ancient depictions of victory or divine protection. This motif, traceable to antiquity, appears in various forms across cultures—a winged goddess on Roman coinage or a celestial being guarding rulers. The gesture, charged with symbolic power, has resonated through history. The crown at the bottom of the medal is flanked by what seems to be two cherubs holding a tablet. Consider the psychological impact of such imagery: the outstretched arms suggesting safety and benevolence tap into our collective longing for protection. The cyclical progression of symbols reveals how these visual devices resurface and evolve, carrying echoes of past hopes and beliefs into new eras.