Oorlog verjaagt de Vrede 1780 - 1782

"Oorlog verjaagt de Vrede" (War Drives Out Peace), created between 1780 and 1782, is an etching by Dutch artist Simon Fokke. This small print, measuring just 91 mm by 103 mm, is part of the collection at the Rijksmuseum. The scene depicts a dramatic confrontation between personified figures of war and peace. War, a helmeted figure with a sword and shield, aggressively chases away Peace, a woman who is fleeing with her cloak billowing behind her. Fokke's etching is a powerful visual allegory that contrasts the destructive forces of war with the desired peaceful state. This etching exemplifies the Baroque style that was popular in the 18th century, with its use of dramatic lighting, exaggerated poses, and a focus on dynamic movement.