Vrede van Aken 1668 1668

This bronze medal, celebrating the Peace of Aachen, was made in 1668 by Jean Mauger. The medal’s small scale belies the outsized role it played in early modern European culture, as an object of diplomatic exchange and political propaganda. Bronze medals like these were often cast, struck, and finished in multiples. The metal, being relatively inexpensive, allowed for wide distribution of the message. The medal presents a portrait of King Louis XIV, and an allegorical scene of peace, underlining the importance of the event, and the figure of the King in it. The repetitive nature of the production process is at odds with the singular value that the medal accrues for its representation of power and success. By considering the material, production process, and social context, we can challenge the perceived division between fine art and craft, and fully appreciate the medal’s historical significance.