Ontzet van Wenen, ter ere van Johan Georg III, keurvorst van Saksen 1683

Curator: This object, dating from 1683, is a medal called “Ontzet van Wenen, ter ere van Johan Georg III, keurvorst van Saksen." It commemorates the Relief of Vienna, honoring Johan Georg III, Elector of Saxony. Editor: It looks serious, almost grim, doesn’t it? The metal feels cold and the figures are all about strength and conquest...heavy stuff. Curator: It's baroque, a style known for its grandeur. Let’s unpack some context. The medal was created to celebrate the victory over the Ottoman Empire at the Battle of Vienna. Understanding this shifts our perspective, right? It embodies themes of power and the defense of Christendom. Editor: Right, I see it now! Suddenly the stern-faced portrait makes sense, this isn't just some guy; it's Mars, Saxon version, gazing into the battle, with that bonkers helmet. But wow, the other side. A total victory goddess stamping on what I assume are fallen foes! Little harsh. Curator: These medals served as potent symbols of political and military power. It was designed as a symbolic communication tool to emphasize triumph. Notice the Latin inscriptions too? Editor: I did! A little Latin never hurt anyone. It gives it an air of authority, like an official seal of, "we kicked butt." It's quite a powerful message condensed in such a small, portable object. You could wear your victory around. How very decadent. Curator: It also makes one reflect on whose stories get amplified. While it immortalizes one version of heroism and celebrates Christian triumph, the narrative of the defeated, and the suffering caused, often remains obscured in artifacts like these. Editor: That’s it. This cold little disc is screaming a very one-sided story, isn't it? Now I am starting to feel a little conflicted. Curator: These objects force us to engage critically with dominant narratives and question what stories get told and whose get suppressed. The medal gives us a chance to remember the broader context. Editor: Makes you think. The shine’s gone for me now. A beautiful, terrifying little document of history’s rough edges.