Allegory of the Foglia River with the city of Pesaro's coat of arms, frontispiece for 'Il Pesarese' 1634 - 1644

Simone Cantarini created this etching, titled 'Allegory of the Foglia River with the city of Pesaro's coat of arms,' as a frontispiece for ‘Il Pesarese.’ Cantarini, who was born in Pesaro, Italy, completed this work during a time of significant artistic and political change in Europe. The artwork depicts a river god at the base, symbolizing the Foglia River, a vital element of the Pesaro landscape and economy. Above him, putti display the coat of arms of Pesaro, representing civic pride and identity. The imagery draws upon classical allegories, but Cantarini infuses it with a distinctly local character through the river god and the city’s emblem. This piece is an intimate expression of regional identity during a period when local autonomy was increasingly threatened by larger political entities. It invites us to reflect on how places shape our sense of belonging, and the visual strategies employed to preserve and promote local pride.