De heilige Philippus sticht vrede tussen de Guelfen en Ghibellijnen 1591

Antonio Tempesta created this print, "Saint Philip makes peace between the Guelphs and Ghibellines," probably in the late 16th or early 17th century. It’s an etching, made to be reproduced and distributed. The image refers to the medieval conflict between two powerful political factions in Italy. The Guelphs supported the papacy, while the Ghibellines were aligned with the Holy Roman Emperors. Their conflict shaped the political landscape of Italian city-states for centuries. Here, we see Saint Philip, identifiable by his halo, preaching to a crowd. In the background, two men are fighting, representing the conflict. The print suggests the power of the church and its saints, to reconcile political divides. As a historian, I am interested in how prints like these reflect the social and political concerns of their time. Researching the history of the Guelphs and Ghibellines and the role of the Catholic Church in resolving conflicts can help us understand the meaning of this image and its place in history.