Karel I van Engeland 1649

This oval silver medal of Charles I of England presents us with a study in contrast and form. The obverse features a high-relief profile portrait, where the king’s features and flowing hair are meticulously detailed, set against the flatter, more abstract background. The use of relief carves out light and shadow, lending the image a tactile quality. Turning to the reverse, we see an intricate, heraldic design, a dense layering of symbols within a circular border. This side privileges flatness, emphasizing pattern over depth. The juxtaposition of the king’s individualized profile with the abstract heraldry invites us to consider power and representation. The king's profile embodies personal authority, while the heraldry signifies institutional power. The two sides form a semiotic dance, each informing and complicating the other’s message. Consider how this small object condenses complex ideas about rule and identity. The medal’s form – its textures, reliefs, and patterns – embodies a play between personal and institutional power.