Edward I, from the English Monarchs series 1731 - 1732

This bronze medal of Edward I, part of the English Monarchs series, was created by Jean Dassier in the 18th century, a period marked by the Enlightenment's fascination with history and lineage. Dassier, working in a time of shifting social structures, uses the traditional format of portraiture to engage with notions of power and identity. Edward I, a monarch from centuries prior, is captured here not just as a ruler, but as a symbol of English heritage amidst the changing landscape of 18th-century Europe. The choice of bronze, a material often associated with commemorative monuments, imbues the medal with a sense of permanence and authority. Dassier's work invites us to consider how societies construct narratives around their leaders and the role of art in shaping these perceptions. It’s a reminder that even historical figures are subject to the interpretations and agendas of later generations, revealing as much about the present as it does about the past.