Filips van Anjou accepteert de Spaanse troon, rekenpenning geslagen ter ere van N. Paignon, van het eerste provoostschap van de koophandel te Parijs 1700

Editor: This medal, made in 1700, commemorates Filips van Anjou accepting the Spanish throne. It’s an engraving on metal. Given its size, it packs a lot of detail. I'm curious, what stands out to you as you consider this work? Curator: Well, knowing that this piece functioned as a type of political propaganda, designed to celebrate and legitimize a specific historical event, that being the ascension of Philip V to the Spanish throne after the death of Charles II, immediately contextualizes the visual language for me. The imagery, the Latin inscriptions... these aren’t neutral; they are calculated representations meant to project power and solidify public opinion. Editor: That makes sense. Can you unpack how this played out in French society at the time? Curator: The selection of N. Paignon to lead the Parisian merchants suggests royal favour aimed at boosting economic confidence under the new regime. Coins and medals acted as vital instruments for shaping perceptions, amplifying specific narratives of success, order, and divinely ordained leadership during periods of intense socio-political change. Doesn't it make you wonder who these symbols are geared toward and what their goal is in this portrayal of King Philip? Editor: It definitely prompts a closer look. Before, I saw it just as a historical object. Now, I see the work is a form of public statement and messaging. Curator: Exactly! And considering how this message was constructed gives us invaluable insight into the concerns and the strategies of the elites who commissioned it. It's all about power, Editor, and who controls the story. Editor: I see the piece with an enhanced view of history and societal power dynamics at play. Thank you!