Allegorie op de vrede gesloten door Jan II Kazimierz, koning van Polen, 1634 1649

Willem Hondius created this engraving, *Allegorie op de vrede gesloten door Jan II Kazimierz, koning van Polen*, in 1634. Immediately striking is the symmetry and hierarchical composition, where figures are meticulously arranged to convey a sense of order and divine sanction. We see Jan II Kazimierz at the center, flanked by allegorical figures representing virtues. Above, an angel crowns the scene, set against a backdrop of military trophies. Below, groups of figures symbolizing the benefits of peace. The artist has employed a visual language rooted in classical and religious symbolism. The engraving acts as a carefully constructed argument about power, legitimacy, and the divine order. It invites us to decode its visual signs and to understand how these elements collectively function to shape its reception and meaning. Hondius’s strategic use of form and symbol serves not just an aesthetic purpose, but also articulates a potent political message.