Margaretha van Parma, landvoogdes der Nederlanden

This silver medal depicts Margaretha van Parma, Governor of the Netherlands, and was likely made in the Netherlands around the 16th century. At this time, medals served as tools to promote the status and power of political figures. This medal would have functioned as propaganda, intended to present Margaretha van Parma in a positive light, despite the growing political and religious tensions in the Netherlands. Note the inscription surrounding her portrait, emphasizing her noble lineage as an ‘infanta’ of Austria. On the reverse, a classical temple symbolizes justice and good governance, virtues that the medal maker associates with Margaretha. As historians, we might look into archival sources and other contemporary accounts to understand the differing perspectives on her rule, and challenge the idealized image presented on the medal. By examining such objects, we gain insights into the complex interplay between art, power, and society during this turbulent period in European history.