Verovering van Landau door Jozef I 1702

This silver medal, commemorating the conquest of Landau by Joseph I, was created by Johann Georg Seidlitz in the early 18th century. It reflects the power dynamics of its time, intertwining political power with idealized representations of authority and triumph. The medal offers a glimpse into the historical context of European power struggles, yet it does so through a lens that seeks to legitimize imperial ambition. Consider the portrait of Joseph I, adorned with laurel, versus the allegorical female figure of victory, complete with wings and classical garb. These emblems speak not just to the historical event, but also to the narratives constructed around leadership, success, and power, both masculine and feminine, during the period. How might our understanding of such representations shift if we consider the perspectives of those who were not victors, or those whose identities and experiences were marginalized by these dominant narratives?