Louis XII of France (1462-1515) c. 1902

Editor: This bronze medal depicts Louis XII of France. The ship on the reverse side is fascinating! What does it signify? Curator: Indeed! Consider the ship as a potent symbol of statecraft, navigating the seas of political fortune. How does the fleur-de-lis above it amplify this reading? Editor: I see... It reinforces the legitimacy of his reign, almost divinely sanctioned. Curator: Precisely! The imagery here is not just decorative; it's a crafted narrative of power and divine right. It asks us to consider how symbols shape our understanding of leadership. Editor: So much is communicated through these visual motifs. I will definitely be looking more closely at imagery in portraiture now.