Inname van Conde en Maubeuge

About this artwork

Bronzen penning. Voorzijde: borststuk jongeman (Lodewijk XIV) binnen omschrift. Keerzijde: Pallas aanvallend met schild en speer en verbaasde Schelde binnen omschrift

Art Historical Context

Crafted by French medallist Jean Mauger between1699 and 1703, *Inname van Conde enubeuge* is a struck bronze medal (penning) celebrating French military triumphs during the Nine Years' War (1688–1697). Measuring just 4.1 cm in diameter and weighing 27.19 grams, this intimate artwork served as a portable token of national pride, typical of the era's commemorative medal art. The obverse features detailed bust of a youthful Louis XIV, the Sun King, encircled by an inscription that underscores his regal authority. On the reverse, the goddess Pallas Athena charges forward with shield and spear, symbolizing martial prowess and strategic victory, while a startled figure representing the Scheldt River (Schelde) recoils in surprise. This allegorical scene commemorates France's capture of the fortified towns of Condé and Maubeuge in 1692, key strongholds in the Spanish Netherlands that bolstered Louis XIV's expansionist campaigns. Medals like this were masterful propaganda tools, blending classical mythology with contemporary events to glorify the monarch. Mauger's expert metalworking—evident in the crisp relief and dynamic poses—highlights the technical precision of 17th-century French engraving. As a snapshot of absolutist iconography, it invites us to ponder how art immortalized the fleeting glories of war.

About the Artist

Jean Mauger · 1648–1722

French, 1648–1722