Mislukte invasie van Jacobus III in Schotland 1708

This medal, made by John Croker, commemorates the failed invasion of Scotland by James III. Here we see the enduring power of symbols: On one side, a profile of James III, an embodiment of royal authority. Turn the medal over, and a classical figure appears, standing triumphant amidst military failures. Why? Because the image draws upon the deep well of classical antiquity, resonating with ideas of virtue and resilience. The figure gestures towards a fleet— a reference to naval power and attempted invasion. Yet, the figure is not defeated; she evokes a timeless ideal, like Athena, goddess of wisdom and warfare. Such symbols transcend time and space. We see echoes of this in Renaissance art, where classical motifs were resurrected to convey power and legitimacy. The appeal to classical imagery speaks to the cyclical nature of history and the human desire to connect with a glorious past, regardless of present realities. It engages our collective memory, reminding us that images are never truly new but are always re-presentations of ancestral ideas.