Sluiting van het drievoudige verbond tussen Engeland, Frankrijk en de Republiek 1610 - 1648

Editor: This is a print of a medal, probably from sometime between 1610 and 1648. It’s titled "Sluiting van het drievoudige verbond tussen Engeland, Frankrijk en de Republiek," and is at the Rijksmuseum. I find it interesting how much symbolism is compacted into such a small object. How would you interpret all of this iconography? Curator: Ah, an excellent piece! Notice how the figures on one side are shaking hands beneath divine light. To me, this speaks of the ideals and hopes pinned to the alliance, represented through symbolic personifications. Who do you think they represent? Editor: Possibly the countries involved, England, France, and the Dutch Republic? The female figures holding hands feels almost allegorical. Curator: Precisely! They embody these nations as virtues, clasping hands to swear the accord, sealed under the watch of faith herself—"Fides" you can see written above. What do you make of the other side of the medal, though? The arm and the animal? Editor: The arm seems to be casting down lightning bolts or maybe blowing wind onto a… boar? Does the boar symbolize something negative being defeated? Curator: Indeed! The boar represents animosity, something aggressive brought down by powerful force. So the iconography presents an act of overcoming conflict and reaching agreement. In essence, such potent iconography helped shape how the people understood the moment in which they lived and their relationship to international events. Editor: That’s fascinating. It’s a lot more than just a pretty design; it really communicates power and aspiration! Curator: It absolutely is. The enduring appeal of iconography lies in its ability to tap into the deep wells of shared cultural understanding and memory. I am struck by how, centuries later, we are still compelled by the images’ coded story.