Overwinning van de Fransen bij Pforzheim

About this artwork

diameter 4,1 cm x gewicht 28,15 gr

Art Historical Context

**Overwinning van de Fr bij Pforzheim** is a finely crafted commemorative medal by the French medalist Jean Mauger, between 1699 and1703. Measuring just 4.1 cm in diameter and weighing 28.15 grams, this small yet intricate piece celebrates a French military triumph at Pforzheim, a town in southwestern Germany. Struck in metal—a technique involving hammering a die into softened metal to imprint detailed designs on both obverse and reverse—it exemplifies the era's precision metalworking, allowing for sharp reliefs and high production fidelity. Produced during the turbulent years bridging the Nine Years' War (1688–1697) and the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–1714), the medal served as propaganda, glorifying French prowess under Louis XIV. Such victories underscored France's expansionist ambitions in the Holy Roman Empire, with Pforzheim's strategic location near key Rhine crossings making it a hotspot for conflicts. Mauger, known for his work in the Baroque style, captured the drama of battle through dynamic compositions, evoking national pride. Artistically, this medal highlights the golden age of European numismatics, where miniature sculptures doubled as historical records. Visitors will appreciate its portability—likely worn or collected by elites—and the enduring allure of its tactile, gleaming surface, a testament to 17th-century craftsmanship.

About the Artist

Jean Mauger · 1648–1722

French, 1648–1722