Plate 13: Allegory on the Discord in France, from Caspar Barlaeus, "Medicea Hospes" 1638

This engraving by Pieter Nolpe visualizes Caspar Barlaeus's text "Medicea Hospes", a celebration of Maria de Medici’s ceremonial entry into Amsterdam in 1638. But look closer, and the image reveals more than simple praise. Made in the Dutch Republic, this allegory critiques France's internal conflicts. The figure of Atlas struggles under the weight of a globe labeled "Gallia," or France, aided by figures representing the military and wisdom. Statues of Justice and Peace stand passively by. The print reflects the Dutch Republic’s complex relationship with France, a key ally against the Spanish Habsburgs, even as France suffered from internal religious and political strife. Barlaeus and Nolpe were commissioned by the Amsterdam city council, so the print reflects institutional anxieties about the stability of a crucial international partner. Prints like these served a vital public role, shaping opinion through visual metaphors. Examining period documents helps us understand how art engaged with the volatile politics of 17th-century Europe.