Inhuldiging van Filips V te Brussel 1702

This is a medal, about 4cm in diameter, commemorating the inauguration of Philip V in Brussels. It was created by Philippe Roëttiers II, who lived from 1640 to 1718. These kinds of objects are important for understanding the social and political climate of the time. They show us how power was represented and how rulers wanted to be seen. On one side we have an image of the ruler, and on the other, an allegory of his power. Philip V's reign was marked by the War of the Spanish Succession, a major European conflict over who should be the King of Spain. Medals like this were part of the propaganda efforts to legitimize his rule amid war and political instability. These kinds of artworks not only reflect historical events, but actively shape our understanding of them. They give us insight into the construction of power, identity, and memory in early modern Europe.