Huwelijk van Karel III van Spanje met Elisabeth Christina van Braunschweig en Lueneburg 1708

This medal, commemorating the wedding of Charles III of Spain and Elisabeth Christina, presents a fascinating study in miniature. Its circular form is divided into two distinct yet complementary sides. The first side features a regal portrait of Elisabeth Christina, encircled by an inscription. Notice how the artist has meticulously detailed her elaborate hairstyle and gown. This attention to detail creates a sense of texture and depth, despite the medal's small scale. The other side shows a horse being lead from the clouds. Consider how the medal operates as a symbolic object. The portrait serves not merely as a likeness but as a representation of power and status, while the horse signifies the importance of their union. The medal's structure invites us to reflect on the interplay between image and inscription, representation and reality. The circular format reinforces the cyclical nature of life and the enduring legacy of marriage and dynasty.