Triumph and disaster: medals of the Sun King, British Museum

The radiant Sun King, Louis XIV was no shrinking violet. During his life time, the young and handsome King of France commissioned countless medals that showed him as a dazzling ruler who cared for his people as much as he did for power. However, as history tells us, Louis faced colossal defeat in war and soon the medallic craft became a crucial tool of self-promotion and publicity for the monarchy. 
British Museum exhibition
V&A curator Mark Jones leads the way with this historical exhibition, which takes us through the glory days of King Louis XIV, through to tougher times. Not only is there a sumptuous array of medals from the British Museum collection, you'll also discover a manuscript of drawings and notes on the luxurious publication, Medallic History (1702) - a glorious book made by the finest historians, artists and medallists of the day to spread the word throughout Europe of Louis' rule. Other British Museum highlights include the humorous medals made across Europe to mock and undermine Louis' carefully created persona. Look out for delicate workings of the French sun being eclipsed by the zodiac signs of his enemies, the sun falling out of the sky after a run in with Jupiter and even Louis as a feeble old man taking a beating from his Queen. 
This quirky free exhibition in London is not just for British Museum history buffs, art lovers will also appreciate the craftsmanship of these medals as well as the curious narrative of Royal power.