Louis XIV (b. 1638, r. 1643–1715) 1681

François Bertinet created this medal of Louis XIV around 1703. The medal presents Louis XIV, or the Sun King, whose reign was marked by a consolidation of royal power and the establishment of Versailles as a center of cultural and political life. Consider the cultural and social implications of representing power through portraiture. The glorification of Louis XIV through medals served as propaganda, reinforcing his image as an absolute monarch divinely appointed to rule. France was a highly stratified society at this time. Visual representations served to reinforce social hierarchies and transmit messages about power and authority. This medal, while small, encapsulates the grandiosity of the era, reminding us of the complex interplay between art, power, and identity in shaping historical narratives. The emotional weight of this piece resides in its ability to make tangible the intangible nature of power.