Intocht van Stadhouder-Koning Willem III te Dublin 1690 1690

This is a silver medal by Jan Luder I commemorating William III's entry into Dublin in 1690. It was made in the context of the political and religious conflicts of the late 17th century, specifically the Williamite War in Ireland, a struggle for power and religious dominance. The medal presents a highly idealized version of William's arrival. On one side, we see William in profile, surrounded by Latin inscriptions declaring him "William III, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland." Turn the medal over and you’ll see William being crowned by Victory, with a defeated female figure kneeling before him, beside her is the Irish harp. The imagery here is potent. It's a symbolic representation of power, victory, and the subjugation of Ireland. This medal is more than just a historical artifact; it's a lens through which we can examine the complex layers of identity, power, and representation. How do we grapple with such a loaded image?