Overwinning van de Fransen in de slag bij Lafelt 1747

This bronze medal commemorates the French victory at the Battle of Lafelt, and was designed by François Joseph Marteau in 1747. The medal offers a window into the intricate dance between power, identity, and representation in 18th-century Europe. On one side, we see a profile of Louis XV, King of France, his image carefully crafted to project authority and divine right. This carefully constructed image speaks volumes about the performance of masculinity and leadership expected of monarchs during this period. The reverse depicts an allegorical figure of victory, who stands triumphantly over defeated foes, symbolizing France's military might. These images, while seemingly straightforward, reflect a complex interplay of gendered and nationalistic ideals. The medal not only commemorates a specific military victory, but also reinforces broader narratives of French superiority and royal power. Consider how such objects shape our understanding of history, and how they contribute to the construction of collective identities.