Dood van Karel X Gustaaf, koning van Zweden 1660

Curator: This fascinating piece is titled "Death of Charles X Gustav, King of Sweden." It's dated to 1660 and is crafted from metal, appearing to be a commemorative coin or medal. Editor: The imagery on this... It’s immediately striking. On one side, a hand gripping a sword as several other blades point towards the center; somber, and, I have to admit, a little violent. Curator: Absolutely. The iconography here is quite potent. The central sword, firmly grasped, surrounded by others aiming towards it, speaks volumes about power, conflict, and perhaps, even vulnerability. The inscription, “Pro Pace Tui Ravi Indomitus,” circles the image... “For peace.” An interesting message adjacent to this bold visual. Editor: Interesting, indeed! A meditation on what is given and extracted in the means of governance, if you will. I’m also struck by the detail – or lack thereof. We can see some flourishes on the clothing in the arm gripping the central blade, but the execution is noticeably economic. Perhaps pointing to it being rapidly reproduced at scale for distribution? The reverse shows us the material conditions are not exactly precious… The inscription crowding it is quite humbling and does a fair amount to deflate any pretense around death and the monarchy, no? Curator: Good observation. It definitely pulls us back to the concrete details of Charles Gustav. I’m curious about the metal itself. As a material, it endures, and serves to create lasting legacies and amplify certain figures over history. The weight in one's hand signifies economic or spiritual standing. Its deliberate choice can indicate more than the medium of choice is given credit for. Editor: That is certainly a worthy consideration. This commemorative piece highlights not only a significant death in Swedish history but also embodies power, propaganda, the relationship between craft and state— and really begs consideration regarding consumption as an important element. Curator: So, an object reflecting not only the end of a reign, but also the start of a kind of symbolic story about power, struggle, and legacy, communicated by repeated, circulated metal forms. Editor: Exactly, I think the mass distribution is far from subtle... the implications linger for an artist who once held power over so many.