Inhuldiging van Jozef II, Duits keizer als graaf van Namen 1781

This bronze medal commemorates Joseph II's inauguration as Count of Namur. Note the Habsburg coat of arms, crowned, and encircled by the motto "Fidelitatis et Virtute." Within, the lion of Namur strikes a diagonal band, a symbol of bastardy or illegitimacy. This image is a palimpsest of power and symbolism. The lion, an age-old emblem of strength and royalty, traces back to ancient heraldry and mythology, echoing through countless royal crests and emblems across Europe and beyond. Overlaid with the diagonal band, it suggests a rupture, a break in the lineage. Yet, the crowned shield reasserts authority, an effort to reconcile tradition with the contingencies of history. Consider how such symbols, laden with meaning, trigger deep-seated emotions and collective memories. The negotiation between the lion's inherent strength and the imposed barrier reflects humanity's perpetual dance between destiny and circumstance, engaging viewers on a profound, subconscious level. The cyclical progression of heraldic symbols, continuously resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings in different contexts, encapsulates history's layered and ever-transforming narrative.