Filips III van Croy, hertog van Aarschot en Johanna van Blois 1595

Curator: Today, we're examining a medal dating back to 1595. It features Filips III van Croy, hertog van Aarschot en Johanna van Blois. The piece, crafted from metal and carved with remarkable detail, presents two distinct sides. Editor: Immediately, I’m struck by the rigidity in both the portrait and heraldic design; they project a formal authority, quite stern actually. What's your sense of the craftsmanship at play here? Curator: The artist's commitment to capturing textures—observe the intricate detailing in Filips's attire and the layered construction of Johanna's coat-of-arms—speaks to the medal's intended function as a carefully considered representational object. Notice how the circular composition focuses our gaze inward, demanding close inspection of every aspect of the piece's construction. Editor: It's also interesting to consider how access would have played into this image-making process. Metalwork like this would have been commissioned during the peak of dynastic struggles in the Netherlands, likely serving as portable propaganda for the elites. It seems that its visual purpose was rooted in political discourse, showcasing power and prestige across social classes. Curator: Certainly. This medal operates as a visual declaration of dynastic power through codified visual symbols like inscriptions. How do you read these markers of wealth in relation to more contemporary concerns about inequality? Editor: This piece embodies the visual language through which individuals in power historically legitimized themselves—language that often relies on exclusion. We are left to consider its relationship to a historical system rooted in hierarchy. Ultimately, our task is to see these artifacts as testaments to deeply uneven social landscapes. Curator: Very true. Considering how the artist utilized space and design conventions certainly invites inquiries that prompt critical thinking and contemplation. Editor: Absolutely, it's a tiny artwork that encapsulates entire social narratives.