Huwelijk van Filips II van Spanje en Anna van Oostenrijk, dochter van Maximiliaan II 1570

This silver medal commemorates the marriage of Philip II of Spain and Anna of Austria. Its circular form is divided into two distinct fields, each bearing a profile portrait in relief. The starkness of the portraits is softened by the intricate details of their garments and the surrounding inscriptions. The medal's bilateral symmetry is striking. Each side mirrors the other in terms of composition and technique. This mirroring effect underscores the union of two powerful houses, Spain and Austria, through the marriage of their respective heirs. The inscriptions, rendered in a classical typeface, serve to formally identify the subjects, reinforcing the medal's function as a historical document. The formal design of the artwork reflects the historical context in which it was made. The use of silver as a medium lends the medal an air of elegance and permanence. The medal is a tangible symbol of political alliance, intended to circulate and convey a message of power and stability. Its form, material, and design converge to articulate a narrative of dynastic union.