Allegorie op de Kerkelijke Staat 1777

Simon Fokke created this allegory of the Papal States in the mid-18th century, a period marked by the Enlightenment's challenge to religious authority and the complex political landscape of Europe. This print encapsulates the intertwining of religious and secular power. The Pope, flanked by allegorical figures, sits atop a pedestal inscribed with the words “History of Italy, and especially the Papal States.” Note how the figures of authority are idealized, while those representing military might are placed further back and to the sides. This placement, in conjunction with the burning fire in the background, implies that the Papal States' authority could be at risk of crumbling. Fokke’s allegory prompts us to consider the Church’s role in shaping Italian identity and its often turbulent relationship with political power. What does it mean to represent a political entity through religious symbolism? This work leaves us to reflect on the emotional weight of religious symbols intertwined with political power.