Allegorie op het Eeuwig Edict, 1577 Possibly 1577

This allegorical engraving by Jacques de Gheyn, created in 1577, presents a complex visual argument through its structured composition. At first glance, the symmetry strikes you, anchored by two obelisks. However, this symmetry is immediately disrupted: one obelisk stands tall, a symbol of stability, while the other is broken. This contrast introduces the central theme of the work: the triumph of peace over discord. An angelic figure stands above a defeated, monstrous form, symbolizing discord. The figure’s gesture and the olive branch she holds contrast with the turmoil beneath her feet. The inscription below, and the cherubs above with 'PAX VOBIS,' reinforce this message. De Gheyn uses the formal structure of the engraving—its balance and disruption, its light and shadow—to present a potent argument for unity and the vanquishing of division. The work’s semiotic elements create a visually compelling commentary on the political climate of its time.