Verslaan van de Spaanse vloot bij kaap Passaro 1718

Bengt Richter created this silver medal commemorating the defeat of the Spanish fleet at Cape Passaro. The medal offers a glimpse into the power dynamics of 18th-century Europe, reflecting the political tensions and military ambitions of the time. The imagery is overt, depicting Charles VI with the laurel wreath symbolizing victory, and the reverse showing the defeated Spanish weapons. These medals served as propaganda, shaping public opinion and reinforcing national identity. But beyond the grand narratives of kings and battles, there's a human element, an emotional charge. What did it mean for the sailors, the soldiers, the families touched by this conflict? How did they perceive their roles in this historical drama? By immortalizing a single event, the medal invites us to reflect on the complexities of power, conflict, and the stories we choose to tell.