De rechtvaardige Vorst (Allegorie op goed bestuur) c. 1560 - 1570

Lambertus Suavius created this engraving, "The Righteous Ruler (Allegory on Good Governance)," in the 16th century. The print reflects the political and social anxieties of the time, a period marked by religious conflict and the rise of powerful monarchies. Here, the ruler is depicted as a figure of solemn authority, surrounded by advisors, embodying an ideal of just leadership. Yet, this image also subtly conveys the complexities of power. The ruler's posture, with hands clasped on a scepter, suggests both control and a certain burden of responsibility. Consider the emotional weight of this image during the Reformation. Suavius, like many artists, navigated a world where religious and political ideologies clashed. Allegories like this served not only to instruct but also to reflect a longing for stability and moral clarity in times of upheaval. The artist uses the print to ask: What does it mean to be just, and who truly benefits from good governance?