Jozef Klemens, aartsbisschop en keurvorst van Keulen gekozen tot bisschop van Luik 1694

This silver medal, made by David Joachim Schel, celebrates Jozef Klemens's election as bishop of Liège while he was already archbishop of Cologne. The medal, with its Latin inscription, presents an allegory of this political and religious union. The reverse shows a rock emerging from a stormy sea, lit by divine rays—a classical emblem of resilience and divine favor. The imagery would resonate within the specific context of the early 18th century, a period marked by intense power struggles within the Holy Roman Empire. Ecclesiastical appointments were rarely free from political maneuvering, and this medal serves as a piece of propaganda, sanctifying a strategic consolidation of power. To fully understand its implications, one would need to delve into the archives of the Cologne and Liège bishoprics, examining the correspondence and political tracts of the time. The medal isn't just a work of art, it's a historical document reflecting the intricate dance of power, religion, and imagery.