Vrede te Aken, ter ere van Lodewijk XV 1748

This silver medal was crafted by François Joseph Marteau to commemorate the Peace of Aachen. Observe the allegorical figure of Peace on the reverse, seated regally under a canopy, holding an olive branch, a symbol of reconciliation. This motif, reminiscent of the classical Pax Romana, harks back to antiquity. Now, consider how the olive branch has been carried through time, from ancient Roman coins to modern-day emblems of the United Nations. Its significance has shifted, yet its core association with harmony persists. The image evokes not only peace but also safety and prosperity. The act of offering or accepting an olive branch engages deep-seated emotional responses—a longing for tranquility, and a subconscious desire for resolution. The symbolism and emotional power embedded in this medal reveal the cyclical nature of history, where the yearning for peace continues to echo through the ages.