Plate 11: Allegory on the Discord in France, from Caspar Barlaeus, "Medicea Hospes" 1638

"Plate 11: Allegory on the Discord in France", an etching by Dutch artist Pieter Nolpe, depicts a scene of chaos and conflict. The print is a visual allegory for the political and social unrest that plagued France in the 17th century. The image depicts a group of figures, including allegorical representations of war, peace, and the French nation, engaging in a heated argument around a broken globe. Nolpe’s detailed depiction of the figures' expressions and gestures makes the tension palpable. "Plate 11" is a poignant commentary on the tumultuous state of France during the 17th century. It provides a glimpse into the complex and often violent realities of the period.