Justice, Peace and Plenty c. 17th century

Curator: This engraving is entitled "Justice, Peace and Plenty," made by Rombout Eynhoudts, a Flemish artist born in 1613. It presents a complex allegorical scene. Editor: Wow, it feels like a Baroque fever dream! There's so much happening. Chaos and serenity coexisting… quite a contrast! Curator: Indeed. The work depicts Justice and Peace in close embrace, while putti frolic amidst symbols of abundance, a direct contrast to the defeated figures representing war. We need to consider the historical context of the Thirty Years' War, and how artists then sought to highlight such restorative values. Editor: Absolutely. Looking at it now, beyond the visual overload, there’s a yearning for harmony. Maybe that's why it still resonates today, this very human need for balance. Curator: It's a powerful reminder that these ideals are perpetually intertwined, perpetually sought, and the sociopolitical messages of the past reverberate still in our present. Editor: Agreed. Makes me wonder, what do Justice, Peace, and Plenty really look like in practice? Perhaps it is something always imagined but never fully captured.