Zachtmoedigheid overwint Razernij 1550 - 1625

Pieter Jalhea Furnius created this print, "Clemency Overcoming Rage," around 1600. Observe how Clemency, a personification of mercy, attends to Rage, offering him a drink. This is a powerful convergence of symbols—the nurturing offering of water set against the violent arsenal of war. The act of offering water appears across cultures as a symbol of peace and reconciliation. Think of ancient Greece, where libations were poured to appease the gods, or even baptism. Rage, with his helmet cast aside, shield, and sword, epitomizes the chaos of unchecked emotion, lying prostrate as a figure embodying the antithesis of fury. This image reminds me of classical depictions of Pax, or Peace, often shown taming the weapons of war. The emotional power of the image lies in the idea of pacification, tapping into our collective memory of conflict and resolution, speaking to a deep-seated longing for tranquility. The cycle of rage and reconciliation—a recurring theme in human history—continues to evolve, its visual representations shifting, yet always echoing our deepest fears and hopes.