Vertoning van de Gekroonde Vrede, 1648 1649

Salomon Savery created this print, "Display of Crowned Peace," in 1648 using etching and engraving techniques. Dominating the scene, we see allegorical figures celebrating peace, highlighted by cherubs bearing laurel wreaths, ancient symbols of triumph and accord. This motif of cherubs bestowing wreaths echoes through art history, harking back to Roman depictions of emperors crowned by winged figures, a visual declaration of divine approval and authority. Yet, here, the crown of laurel transcends mere earthly power; it signifies the welcomed cessation of conflict. This iconography, deeply embedded in our collective memory, triggers a subconscious recognition of hope and renewal. Consider the powerful emotional undercurrent: the yearning for peace, a universal desire projected onto these symbolic forms. The crowned figure, a symbol of peace, reappears across centuries, each time imbued with the specific hopes and anxieties of its era. The symbol persists, adapting like a protean form, demonstrating the cyclical nature of history and the enduring human quest for concord.