Filips van Orleans (Philippe d'Orleans), regent voor de minderjarige Lodewijk XV c. 1715

This medal, crafted by Jean Le Blanc, immortalizes Filips van Orleans, regent for the young Louis XV. Notice the laurel wreath adorning the child Louis's head. In antiquity, this symbol crowned victors and emperors, signifying glory and triumph. But observe how this motif migrates through time. From the temples of ancient Greece, where laurel wreaths celebrated athletic and intellectual achievement, to the courts of Europe, where they legitimized royal power. The same symbol appears in Roman sculptures, Renaissance paintings, and even in modern-day emblems. Yet, its essence shifts. What was once a symbol of merit becomes a marker of inherited status, subtly alluding to the divine right of kings. Here, the wreath speaks to a powerful longing for continuity and stability. The collective memory imprints the wreath with layers of meaning, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. The laurel wreath, an ancient echo, resurfaces, transformed but still potent. A reminder that history is not linear but a cyclical dance of symbols, perpetually reborn.