Verbranden van de Nederlandse vloot bij Tobago, rekenpenning geslagen ter ere van Lodewijk XIV, koning van Frankrijk 1677

Curator: This is a bronze medal created in 1677 by the Monogrammist N, whose identity remains a mystery. The medal commemorates the burning of the Dutch fleet near Tobago during that era. Editor: It has such an archaic feel, like a fragment recovered from a long-lost civilization, and in this instance, the visual iconography exudes power and conquest. Curator: Indeed. The piece is double-sided. One side features a portrait of Louis XIV, King of France, identifiable by the surrounding inscription, "Ludovicus Magnus Rex." The flip side depicts an allegorical figure atop what appears to be a ship's prow, with the words "Ingeysa Batavorum Classe" surrounding it. Editor: That allegorical figure seems to be celebrating some form of triumph. Note the laurel in her right hand – it has always symbolized victory and acclaim throughout history. The winged figure resembles Pheme, the personification of fame and renown; such imagery could have cemented Louis XIV’s legacy. But, from a post-colonial perspective, the heroic portrayal can appear unsettling because we recognize the ravages of the historical context that underpins this memorial. Curator: It certainly encourages layers of reading. Consider bronze as a material, used since antiquity, in opposition to what this artwork documents— the swift destruction of a fleet. Is there some irony here? Metal to remember fire? How might that affect the cultural memory associated with this moment? Editor: Exactly! Moreover, understanding the rivalry between France and the Dutch Republic within broader power struggles requires understanding how Louis XIV, often presented as an absolute ruler, instrumentalized art. So this object, besides attesting to events in Tobago, speaks to that. Its value goes beyond historical accuracy: it is intertwined with identity, power dynamics, and propaganda. Curator: This work can operate like a symbolic key. While seemingly a simple object celebrating military might, it unravels entire discourses and reveals how power has been historically projected and commemorated. Editor: The medal’s size almost works against the grand scale of the events that are documented. I now view the work, on a smaller scale, as symbolic of propaganda itself and the way cultural memory can be reshaped.