Horizontal Panel with a Row of Flowers Above a Frieze with a Battle Scene in a Landscape, from Livre Nouveau de Fleurs Tres-Util 1645

This 17th-century engraving, "Horizontal Panel with a Row of Flowers Above a Frieze with a Battle Scene in a Landscape," by Nicolas Cochin, depicts a contrasting juxtaposition of delicate floral beauty and the violence of war. The top half showcases a row of meticulously rendered flowers, showcasing Cochin's skill in botanical illustration. Below, a dynamic battle scene unfolds, capturing the chaos and intensity of military conflict. The contrast between the serene flora and the turbulent battle creates a powerful visual narrative, emphasizing the fragility of peace and the harsh reality of war. This work, now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, represents a typical example of 17th-century engraving, combining meticulous detail with a sense of drama and realism.