Justitia zittend op haar troon c. 1712 - 1715

Editor: This engraving, "Justitia zittend op haar troon," from around 1712-1715 by Willem de Broen, depicts Justice enthroned. The linear precision is striking, and the allegorical figures create a solemn and weighty impression. What cultural echoes do you perceive within its symbolism? Curator: The symbols speak volumes, don't they? Consider Justitia herself. Blindfolded, she embodies impartiality, wielding scales representing balanced judgment, and a staff that is an emblem of power. She isn't merely an image; she’s a vessel filled with our collective desire for order. Doesn't her placement atop Hugo Grotius's text further root the image in the evolution of law itself? Editor: Absolutely, anchoring her visually to Grotius links the figure directly to legal and philosophical tradition. What about the figures flanking her? How do they deepen the engraving's cultural significance? Curator: To the left stands Pax, or Peace, bearing an olive branch, an offering and symbol of tranquility, juxtaposed against the armed soldier symbolizing war. It's a visualization of the desired balance between justice and the prevention of conflict. They both embody conditions which ensure fair operation of civic order, doesn't it prompt you to consider their relation to the blindfolded Justice above them? Editor: That tension between peace and the potential for war is quite palpable. I also noticed the presence of what looks like a sacrificial lamb… what connotations were meant for 18th century viewers? Curator: Good observation. Sacrificial elements were understood through collective trauma throughout the late Baroque. Think of what justice demands for peace to remain in power! What emotional connection does it spark in you? Editor: I find myself thinking about cycles of conflict, negotiation, and sacrifice required for enduring civic concord. There’s a haunting yet hopeful message, wouldn't you agree? Curator: Precisely. Through careful encoding of symbolism, De Broen prompts reflections on continuity. By combining classical motifs with contemporary concerns of peace and order, De Broen's engraving speaks across centuries about how we can seek civic organization and global cooperation.