Veldtochten van Johan Georg III, keurvorst van Saksen aan Rijn en Donau 1688

Curator: Well, this seems pretty straightforward, or at least self-contained. What stands out to you? Editor: Its stern simplicity, actually. Something about the subdued, almost weathered metal gives a stoic air to what otherwise might just be decorative. And those crossed swords... definitely hinting at conflict and perhaps even a martyr's sacrifice. Curator: We are in front of a metal relief dating from 1688, whose inscription says: "Campaigns of Johan George III, Elector of Saxony, on the Rhine and Danube." Editor: The inscription, right! The imagery seems chosen so intentionally to project strength but, oddly enough, not boastfulness, if that makes any sense. It's like controlled power. Curator: Indeed, because in that era, representing yourself was never as simple as making a faithful copy. Consider where the Danube and the Rhine stood culturally. They formed key routes and territorial markers in Europe. To depict Johann's military involvement with those rivers serves as evidence for his place in European politics, right on par with the great powers of the era. Editor: Definitely an overt power-play and status-flex through symbolism, I'd say. I can sense that by displaying two crossed swords on the reverse of the portrait, there’s this echo to some type of higher service or almost...spiritual military purpose to what Johann was involved in, perhaps a divine call. What do you think? Curator: To that, I'll counter, wasn't most nobility interlinked with religious claims or overt connection with divinity in those days? Even without claiming outright religious purposes, invoking God's approval adds extra weight and legitimacy. And by placing Johann on equal footing with other rulers of the era, his court legitimised itself even further. Editor: Very good points. The object goes beyond just displaying Johann; rather, it is like projecting his very existence into that broader cultural story... Curator: In a way, Johann became a vehicle to further enshrine the standing of his entire court. Editor: I’ll certainly never look at what seem like humble coins in quite the same way again! Curator: Agreed; hopefully, this gave everyone an extra dimension when reflecting on commemorative works.