Vrede van Luneville, ter ere van Napoleon Bonaparte, premier consul van Frankrijk 1801

Curator: It's quite striking, isn't it? Jean-Pierre Droz created this medal in 1801 to commemorate the Peace of Lunéville. Editor: My first impression is one of stark propaganda. The cool metallic surface, the rigid profile – it feels like a deliberate attempt to cast Napoleon in a very specific light. Curator: Precisely. Crafted from metal, it functions not just as a symbolic object, but as currency in shaping public opinion. It highlights the shift towards Neoclassicism, a conscious attempt to connect Napoleon's image with the grandeur of the Roman emperors. Editor: The choice of metal, I think, is key. It’s a durable material, meant to last, but also one directly tied to industry and war, both of which shaped Bonaparte’s trajectory. Look how that connection to war impacts gender and class in that era. Curator: Indeed. And observe the symbolism on the reverse. There is a blazing sun and some sort of... a possible location marking where the peace of Luneville would've taken place. This side feels celebratory. Editor: Although a sunrise promises optimism, considering the circumstances surrounding the treaty, I would call this side more aspirational, even deceptive. Peace brokered on whose terms and at what cost? And who benefits materially? It feels essential to scrutinize whose narratives are elevated by such commemorative works. Curator: Of course. But by choosing Neoclassicism, Droz aims for something more lasting. And look closely; it feels smaller and more personal than, say, a grand history painting meant for a salon. This could have been something to carry. Editor: A tactile piece of propaganda – I'd imagine such a medal circulating among a certain echelon, solidifying their connection to power. It also serves as a constant reminder of that power’s visual and material presence. We mustn't underestimate its effects on maintaining structures of power and oppression. Curator: A very good point. Overall, it provides a valuable object lesson. By unpacking its materiality and message we get insight into the machinations behind its production. Editor: Absolutely. It is essential to unpack how these artifacts reflect and perpetuate broader social, political and economic conditions during periods of conflict and fabricated resolutions.