Het bombardement van Ratzeburg door Christiaan V, koning van Denemarken 1693

Editor: This bronze relief, created by Jan Smeltzing in 1693, is titled *Het bombardement van Ratzeburg door Christiaan V, koning van Denemarken*. It looks like a commemorative medal. What can you tell me about this work? Curator: This piece speaks volumes about the use of art for political propaganda. Medals like these were often commissioned to celebrate military victories and bolster the image of the ruling elite. The imagery – Christian V on one side, a war scene represented abstractly with a bombastic bull on the other – would have served to create a heroic narrative. Consider how the "bombardment" is translated through allegory; what message does that send versus a realistic battle depiction? Editor: That's fascinating! So, it’s less about accurate depiction and more about shaping public perception? Is that why he’s portrayed in such a specific style? Curator: Precisely. The portrait style of Christian V, adhering to Baroque conventions with the elaborate wig and confident gaze, aims to project power and legitimacy. This piece wasn’t meant to simply document history; it was designed to construct and reinforce a particular understanding of power. Where do you think these medallions would have been circulated, and how would their reception influenced social or political currents? Editor: Maybe given to important figures or allies? It definitely makes you think about how art functions in these kinds of power dynamics. Curator: Exactly. Remembering art's social function reveals dimensions beyond mere aesthetics, enriching our appreciation and offering crucial insights into a society's values. Editor: I hadn’t really thought about medals this way. Seeing it as political messaging changes everything! Curator: Indeed. Now, whenever you encounter commemorative art, consider its role within the broader political landscape. What narratives are being crafted, and whose interests do they serve?