Blessed are the peacemakers. Abigail soothing David 1564 - 1567

Editor: We’re looking at “Blessed are the peacemakers. Abigail soothing David,” an engraving by Harmen Jansz. Muller from between 1564 and 1567. It's striking how much detail he achieves with just lines. What do you see in this piece? Curator: This print resonates deeply with contemporary dialogues around conflict resolution and gendered power dynamics. Consider the biblical narrative it depicts: Abigail, a woman, strategically intervenes to prevent violence between her household and David's forces. What power structures do you observe? Editor: Well, David is clearly in a position of authority, armed and on horseback. Abigail is kneeling, offering gifts. Curator: Exactly. Now think about 16th-century Europe, rife with religious and political conflict. Muller, by choosing this scene, might be subtly commenting on the potential for women's agency, like Abigail’s, to act as mediators and quell violence. Could this image advocate for a softer approach during a period defined by war? How does the landscape in the background contribute? Editor: The landscape almost dwarfs the figures, suggesting the vastness of the conflict perhaps? And the inscription at the bottom mentions peace. Curator: Precisely. “Blessed are the peacemakers...” It's a loaded statement in any era, but especially potent then. We have here an intersection of religious narrative, social commentary, and artistic skill all working together. It forces us to question, whose stories are deemed important and who is telling them? Editor: I see. It’s more than just a biblical scene; it's a commentary on peace and power. Curator: And the roles that women and diplomacy might play within broader sociopolitical upheavals. Food for thought, indeed.