Verovering van Douai, Quesnoy en Bouchain, rekenpenning geslagen ter ere van Lodewijk XIV, koning van Frankrijk 1713

This silver medal was struck in 1712 by Thomas Bernard to celebrate Louis XIV's military victories. The medal's imagery and inscription served a clear propagandistic function, reinforcing the king's power through numismatic distribution. Note the profile portrait of Louis XIV, identifying him as a powerful ruler. Flip it over, and you'll see it shows an elephant carrying military fortifications, symbolizing the strength and strategic success of the French army. Such imagery was typical of the time, reflecting the absolutist ambitions of the French monarchy and its use of art to cultivate a desired public image. Court-sponsored artists like Bernard played a crucial role in shaping perceptions of the king and his reign, contributing to the construction of a visual culture that supported the existing social and political order. The historian might consider how this medal fits into a broader pattern of state-sponsored art, using archival records, studies of iconography, and the history of the French Royal Academy. Ultimately, this medal reminds us that art is never neutral but reflects the values and power dynamics of the society that produces it.