Vrede 1558

"Vrede" (Peace) is a 1558 engraving by Pieter van der Heyden, a prominent Dutch artist of the 16th century. This print depicts a satirical scene, likely related to the ongoing political and religious turmoil of the time. The central figure, a grotesque personification of war, stands triumphantly above the suffering and chaos of a battlefield. This allegorical artwork combines visual symbolism and textual commentary, offering a commentary on the dangers of conflict. It is now housed in the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst.