Vrede te Aken 1748

Editor: This is “Vrede te Aken,” or “Peace of Aachen,” a metal peace medal designed by Martin Holtzhey in 1748. It’s neat that it has two sides! One side shows a regal man, and the other features a seated figure holding scales. I’m curious: how do we interpret these symbols? Curator: This medal commemorates the Treaty of Aachen, which ended the War of the Austrian Succession. The regal man is likely a European leader involved in the treaty. But more interestingly, let's consider the figure on the reverse. Who do you think she represents? Editor: Justice? The scales definitely suggest something about balance or fairness. Curator: Exactly. Justice, or perhaps Astraea, the goddess of justice, returning to bring about a Golden Age. The lion beside her may be a symbol of power, now tempered by peace. These aren't simply aesthetic choices. What kind of statement do you think the artist is making, in this historical and political context? Editor: It’s advocating for peace through justice? Like, the treaty is *just*, and that's why it will bring a Golden Age? Curator: Precisely! The medal uses allegorical imagery to promote a particular narrative – the *justness* of the peace achieved. Consider whose story is being told here, and who gets to tell it. Editor: So, beyond just documenting a historical event, it's actively shaping its meaning? I see that the artist has an agenda. Curator: Exactly. Examining these objects reveals much about power dynamics and the ways history is constructed and disseminated through art. This helps me understand it from both the lens of history and cultural impact. Editor: It makes me rethink how medals, or any art, can be subtle forms of propaganda. Thanks for pointing that out!