About this artwork

This medal of the king’s Secretary for State for Scotland, John Maitland, was made in 1672 to commemorate Maitland being awarded the Order of the Garter and gaining the title the Duke of Lauderdale. The duke is shown in profile and wears Roman dress, classicising his image to remind viewers that, like images on antique coins, he represents imperial power. He wears a contemporary seventeenth-century wig and Roettier has expertly captured Maitland’s characteristic burly face with portly jowls, heavy eyelids and moustache. The reverse of the medal shows an image of Minerva, the goddess of war. This symbolises both the ongoing Third Dutch War and Lauderdale’s role in the stability of the country, as emphasised by the motto ‘Consilio et Animis’ [by counsel and courage].

Updated before 2020

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John Roettier

John Roettier