Ontmoeting tussen paus Leo I de Grote en Attila de Hun 1620 - 1687

This print by François Collignon depicts the meeting between Pope Leo the Great and Attila the Hun. It was made in the Netherlands in the 17th century. It shows the pontiff halting the advance of the Hun army on Rome. The image creates meaning through visual codes recognizable to its contemporary audience. Angels with swords in the background refer to divine intervention in the protection of Rome. The Pope is surrounded by kneeling figures and is framed by classical architecture. These elements underscore the power of the papacy. This print was produced during the Counter-Reformation, a period of renewed Catholic militancy. It reinforced the Pope's authority at a time when it was being challenged by Protestant reformers. As art historians, we rely on historical and social context to interpret images like this. Understanding the religious conflicts and the function of art in the 17th Century helps us interpret this image. By researching the patronage, the cultural context, and the artist's background, we can better appreciate the work's social and institutional significance.