Karel VI gekozen tot Duits keizer 1711

This medal by Philipp Christoph Becker commemorates Charles VI's election as Holy Roman Emperor. Though undated, the inscription marks Charles’ coronation in Frankfurt in 1711, embedding the medal within the political landscape of 18th-century European power struggles. These types of medals served as tools for shaping public perception. The visual language of the medal speaks to this ambition, employing classical motifs to construct Charles’ authority. On one side, a laurel wreath encircles a globe, symbolizing dominion, while the inscription CONSTANTIA ET FORTITUDINE, declares Charles’ steadfastness and strength, virtues closely tied to masculine ideals of leadership. Consider how the imagery here avoids alluding to the familial ties and aristocratic privilege that legitimized Charles’ ascent to the throne, favoring instead an emphasis on individual strength and virtue. What does it mean to construct a narrative of leadership based on personal qualities rather than inherited status? This medal invites us to reflect on the narratives of power that continue to shape our world.