Marie Louise aan Karel II van Spanje ten huwelijk gegeven 1679 - 1680

This medal at the Rijksmuseum commemorates the marriage of Marie Louise to Charles II of Spain. Observe how the iconography here is steeped in dynastic ambition and the pursuit of peace through matrimonial alliances. The medal presents two significant scenes. On one side, Louis XIV, embodying French power, is captured in profile. On the other, we witness the symbolic offering of Marie Louise to Charles II, an act intended to cement peace between the two realms. This echoes the Roman tradition of "Pax Pronuba," where marriage is invoked as a guarantor of peace. Consider the gesture of offering a bride; it resurfaces time and again. Think of ancient Roman depictions of emperors offering conquered lands, or even religious art where saints present offerings to the divine. The emotional weight of such a gesture—a blend of hope, submission, and political calculation—engages us on a subconscious level. The medal, therefore, is not merely a record of a historical event but a complex interplay of symbols, echoing through the corridors of time and culture.