Princess Maria Clementina Sobieska, 1702-1735, Wife of James Stuart, Pretender to the British Throne [obverse] 1719

This is a metal medal created by Ottone Hamerani, representing Princess Maria Clementina Sobieska. Sobieska was the wife of James Stuart, a man with a claim to the British throne. This medal encapsulates the turbulent politics of the early 18th century, a period defined by dynastic rivalries and contested claims to power. Maria Clementina, a Polish princess, became a figurehead in the Jacobite cause, symbolizing their aspirations to restore the Stuart monarchy. The medal attempts to immortalize her image as a would-be queen. But look closely, and you might see the complexities of her position. As a woman, her power was derived from her marriage, yet she played a crucial role in legitimizing her husband's claim. How did she feel about her role in the Jacobite cause? Did she see herself as a political pawn, or a true leader? Medals such as this offer a glimpse into the intertwined nature of personal identity and political destiny.