Penning met Karel IX van Frankrijk 1718

This medal of Charles IX of France was made by Bernard Picart in 1728 and is held at the Rijksmuseum. Engraved lines articulate two contrasting scenes on each face of the coin. We see detailed figuration of the King versus allegorical elements. This contrast in visual styles, combined with the coin's limited dimensions, challenges traditional notions of scale and representation. One side depicts the regal authority of Charles IX, surrounded by symbolic imagery alluding to power and triumph. On the reverse, classical columns and wreaths frame inscriptions that hint at ideals of piety and justice. The meticulous detail of the engraving shows not only the subject, but a semiotic language of power and moral justification. Notice how Picart uses the coin’s physical form to create a dialogue between the ruler’s image and abstract virtues. This interplay is less about historical accuracy and more about how power is constructed through visual and symbolic means.