Louis XV offrant ses deux filles en témoignage de paix à l'Europe 

François Lemoyne painted 'Louis XV offrant ses deux filles en témoignage de paix à l'Europe' using oil on canvas. Here, Louis XV extends an olive branch to a female figure representing Europe, watched over by allegorical figures. Note how Athena, goddess of wisdom and warfare, hovers above, spear in hand. The olive branch has ancient roots, symbolizing peace and victory since antiquity. We see it in Roman coins and Renaissance paintings, a visual shorthand for reconciliation. The image of Athena, derived from classical antiquity, reappears in countless guises throughout art history, representing strategic prowess and divine protection. The figures may appear static, yet these symbols are anything but. Consider how the olive branch in ancient Greece was a sacred object, offered to the gods. Now, it is presented by a king. The emotional power of these symbols lies in our collective memory, stirring feelings of hope and security. It's a powerful force, engaging us on a deep, subconscious level. This gesture has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings throughout history.