Vertrek van Jozef I naar het leger 1702

Editor: Here we have a metal sculpture, "Vertrek van Jozef I naar het leger," created in 1702 by Christian Wermuth. It's quite small, and has a kind of stoic feel to it. What can you tell me about it? Curator: From a materialist perspective, the first thing that strikes me is the medium: metal. Who would have commissioned this? Was the production of the coin designed to promote consumption by specific populations? The inscription gives clues as to the intention here; it memorializes a specific event, positioning the ruler within a narrative of power. Editor: It looks like there are two different images depicted on either side of this coin. Can you talk more about the images and the significance? Curator: Absolutely. The technical process of creating this piece -- the engraving, the stamping -- inherently elevates the status of the depicted. In that way, the metal object transforms into a political message about both military campaigns and a ruler's place in history. Considering it alongside similar commemorative objects, we begin to understand its role in a broader project of image making. Editor: So it’s less about the artistry itself and more about what the object represents within its societal context? Curator: Precisely. We consider the economic implications of minting such an object, the labor involved, and its ultimate purpose as a form of material propaganda. How else might the creation of such an item serve to control or distribute materials of its day? Editor: I never thought about a piece like this representing how the control of resources could influence what messages get made into art. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. Considering the means of production offers a wealth of insight into the social and political landscape of the time.