Speelpenning uit Neurenberg met Alexander de Grote 1790 - 1820

Editor: Here we have a Nuremberg jeton, a coin-like token, depicting Alexander the Great, created between 1790 and 1820. It’s so small, but the details are incredible! What stands out to you most about this particular object? Curator: I see it as a potent example of how historical narratives are selectively constructed and disseminated. Consider the choice of Alexander the Great. Why him? During this Neoclassical period, Alexander was often used to legitimize power by associating current rulers with a romanticized version of ancient heroism. It encourages us to question who gets to be a hero, and whose stories get told, in what ways, and why. Editor: So, it’s not necessarily about Alexander himself, but more about what he represents? Curator: Precisely. And, critically, *who* he represents it *to*. Think about the burgeoning sense of nationalism throughout Europe during that time. Visual rhetoric like this plays a pivotal role in shaping public perceptions of power, history, and identity. What does ideal leadership mean, who does it exclude, and to what ends? Editor: It's like this coin becomes a miniature piece of propaganda. Are the symbols, like the lion on the reverse, part of this symbolic language? Curator: Absolutely! The lion further enhances that idea of strength, authority, and domination. It is crucial to consider the context. Nuremberg was famous for these tokens, mass-producing images that circulated widely, embedding these idealized versions of history into the collective consciousness. Editor: This makes me think differently about everyday objects. It’s a tiny coin, but it opens up big questions. Curator: Exactly. It’s a reminder that even the smallest artwork can be a powerful vehicle for cultural narratives, revealing so much about the social and political values of its time, even to ours.