Medal 1640 - 1707

This engraving shows a portrait of Louis XIV, King of France, made by Gérard Edelinck. The image is dominated by the profile of Louis, encircled by an inscription proclaiming his name and title, punctuated by stylized floral motifs. These floral elements, while seemingly decorative, echo a deeper symbolic language. They can be seen as distant relatives of ancient rosette patterns, found in Mycenaean Greece and ancient Persia, symbols of royalty, divinity, and protection. The laurel wreath, absent here, is implied; Louis is not just a man but an embodiment of France. The intent to associate the King with classical ideals is evident, a pursuit seen in the Renaissance and Baroque eras. This intentional connection speaks volumes about the desire to legitimize power. The portrait’s visual vocabulary is part of a cyclical return, a cultural memory constantly revisited. Like a recurring dream, these symbols resurface, carrying echoes of past meanings.