Allegory of France with the Arms of Richelieu (Allégorie sur la Paix) 1620 - 1642

Claude Mellan created this engraving, Allegory of France with the Arms of Richelieu, representing France as a triumphant female figure, bathed in divine light, next to a cornucopia, a symbol of abundance and prosperity. The cornucopia, overflowing with fruits and grains, is a classical motif linked to Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture, mirroring similar depictions of the horn of plenty stretching back to ancient Greece. But observe: Mellan subtly transforms this ancient symbol. No longer simply a sign of nature’s bounty, it signifies France’s renewed prosperity under Richelieu's governance. The vanquished titans in the background evoke a sense of chaos subdued. This echoes earlier renditions of the Gigantomachy, the battle between the Olympian gods and the Giants. These symbols have shifted in meaning from tales of cosmic battles to emblems of political triumph, illustrating how collective memory adapts and reinterprets the past to serve present needs. In this print, the symbolic language of power engages viewers on a deep, subconscious level, evoking feelings of security and optimism. Ultimately, Mellan’s engraving demonstrates the non-linear progression of symbols. They resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts, revealing the enduring power of images across time.