Inname van Maastricht 1673

This bronze medal, commemorating the Capture of Maastricht, was made by Louis Loir. The medal is made of bronze, a metal valued for its durability and ability to capture fine detail. The medal's making involved skilled craftsmanship using techniques like engraving and casting. Bronze medals like these were often commissioned by rulers or governments to celebrate important events, thus serving as propaganda tools. The depiction of Louis XIV on one side highlights his power. The other side features a personification of virtue, holding a bundle of lightning bolts. The figure with the lightning bolts symbolizes strength. Medals like these circulated within a society deeply structured by power and patronage. Their creation provided employment for skilled artisans, from the designers to the metalworkers who brought the images to life. By looking closely at the materials and the making, we gain insight into the social, political, and economic forces at play.