Louis XIV: The Battle of Saint Gotthard, 1664 1700 - 1715

Editor: We're looking at a bronze medal, "Louis XIV: The Battle of Saint Gotthard, 1664," made sometime between 1700 and 1715. The detail is striking; you can practically see the lace on his collar. What's your read on a piece like this, a king immortalized in bronze? Curator: Ah, Louis, always finding a way to see himself elevated, literally! What strikes me is the inherent tension in an object like this. On one hand, it’s propaganda, meticulously crafted to broadcast power and victory, to secure his legacy...forever. But isn’t it also a surprisingly intimate object? Bronze, after all, is earthy, almost human. To hold this, is to hold something of the King, shaped and solidified. What do you think of the way his portrait is surrounded by words? Editor: It's like framing him with his accomplishments! A really confident design. Did people wear these sorts of things? Curator: Good question! Not exactly worn in the sense of jewelry, although some examples are mounted for display or occasionally as a statement piece by the aristocracy. Think of it as more of a circulating symbol of authority, a tangible extension of the monarchy— diplomatic gifts, presentation pieces to loyal subjects. What do you think the artist wanted people to feel when they looked at this medal? Editor: Probably in awe! Though maybe a little intimidated too? It’s funny to think of something so small carrying so much…weight. Curator: Precisely! It reminds us that even the smallest of objects can carry the biggest of stories and ambitions, reflecting the complex dance between power, artistry, and legacy. I might just start collecting medals, imagine the dinner conversations. Editor: I never thought about a medal being so…personal before. Thanks for opening my eyes!