Louis XIII, 1601-1643, King of France 1610 [obverse] 1624

Curator: This striking object is a gold coin depicting Louis XIII, who reigned as King of France from 1610 to 1643. The coin itself was created in 1624 by Pierre Regnier, and it offers a glimpse into the Baroque aesthetics of the period. Editor: Well, hello, Louis. You know, the first thing that strikes me is the gold. It has an incredible warmth that draws me right in, a real feeling of luxury but with a touch of vulnerability too. I wonder if that was on purpose... a peek behind the crown. Curator: Indeed, the choice of gold, a precious metal, immediately speaks to power and wealth – core tenets of royal imagery in the 17th century. Coins, of course, weren't just currency. They were tools of propaganda, circulating the king’s image and thus reinforcing his authority. The wreath of laurels is no accident, either. Editor: Propaganda can be beautiful. It’s interesting to me, though, that his expression seems almost…wistful? Is it just me or does it seem at odds with the power and wealth message you mentioned? Makes you wonder what a day in his royal slippers was really like. Curator: That slight air of melancholy is perhaps due to the Baroque aesthetic embracing more emotional nuance than previous eras. While these coins reinforced royal power, artists were also subtly exploring human aspects, even in official portraiture. He seems self-possessed. Editor: Definitely a far cry from those stoic, idealized rulers of the past! Also, do you notice how even the way the light catches the curls creates movement? Nothing feels static about this, even if he had to sit still for it. You can imagine his hair tumbling freely from the laurel leaves in the wind as he gallops after some quarry, Curator: Baroque art is full of movement and detail, that’s right. And while we think about kings, you mentioned ‘behind the curtain,’ these depictions contributed significantly to crafting a lasting royal image for both his contemporaries and for posterity. These coins helped cement his place in the narrative of French history. Editor: True, though, it seems that artists had already figured out the whole 'personal branding' thing long before Instagram! I appreciate knowing the symbolism involved; the way these objects function as more than meets the eye. They have this sense of enduring. Curator: Exactly. Thank you. It is this interplay between art, power, and personality, immortalized on a small golden disc, that makes this coin a particularly fascinating piece of history.