Allegory on the Pacification of Ghent 1577

Editor: This is "Allegory on the Pacification of Ghent" by Willem van Haecht I. It's a print, and it feels incredibly detailed, almost chaotic at first glance. What do you make of this bustling scene? Curator: It’s a puzzle box of symbols! I see the triumph of peace after conflict, a common theme then. Consider the figures: Justice, maybe? She's seated on that ornate carriage, almost like a stage. What story do you think it’s trying to tell? Editor: Perhaps a celebration of unity? The carriage seems to roll over defeated figures. Curator: Exactly! It’s a visual argument for peace, but one built on the subjugation of others. A bittersweet victory, wouldn’t you say? Editor: It gives me a lot to think about, especially about how victory is portrayed.