Plate 12: Allegory on the Discord in France, from Caspar Barlaeus, "Medicea Hospes" 1638

Pieter Nolpe created this print, "Allegory on the Discord in France," sometime in the 17th century. The composition is divided into two distinct registers, separated horizontally: a terrestrial plane below and a celestial one above. Below, figures surround a globe labeled "Gallia," straining to pull it apart, illustrating discord. A woman with an olive branch offers a contrasting image of peace and unity. The characters are rendered with sharp lines, highlighting tension and conflict. Above, the clouds are inhabited by serene figures, perhaps representing divine oversight or hope. The celestial figures float with a soft, diffused quality, contrasting with the earthbound figures. Nolpe uses the allegorical scene to explore the concept of discord within France. The sharp lines and chaotic arrangement on the earthly plane effectively communicate the idea of societal disruption. The visual contrast with the harmonious figures in the heavens accentuates the earthly conflict as a departure from divine order.