Vrede van Teschen, ter ere van Frederik II de Grote, koning van Pruisen 1779

Editor: So, this medal, "Vrede van Teschen, ter ere van Frederik II de Grote, koning van Pruisen," was created in 1779 by Daniel Friedrich Loos, out of metal. The imagery, a bust of Frederick II, and classical figures, is striking, but the stark materiality really grabs me. What's your read on this? Curator: Considering the material context, the shift to metal medals—away from paintings and sculptures intended solely for the elite—reveals a key moment. How does using a relatively reproducible and durable medium change who gets to consume and understand the message? Who benefits from this depiction of power, and how does the medium influence the message itself? Editor: That's a great point. The fact it's metal suggests it was perhaps meant to be widely circulated and not only enjoyed by those of royal birth or close friends of the crown. I can see now the difference that production has. I am curious, however, what can you tell me about the choice of relief to make this a three-dimensional piece, even though small? Curator: The three-dimensional relief speaks to a society enamored with classical virtues, now rendered tangible for wider consumption. Who was really given access, and in what social context was this exchange carried out? Did such efforts to "memorialize" result in improved rights for craftsmen, distributors, or even society at large? Editor: The fact that we’re viewing it centuries later highlights a complex endurance and its significance beyond its original distribution. So, the piece transforms into evidence for future viewers on labor practices! I had no idea. Curator: Exactly. Material endures and transforms meaning across time and social structures. Thanks for helping me make that plain. Editor: Definitely! It seems looking at the "what" and "how" can truly help reveal art’s link to society.