Allegorie op Cosimo III de' Medici in monumentale omlijsting (deel rechtsboven) 1649 - 1681

François Spierre created this section of an allegorical print dedicated to Cosimo III de' Medici around 1670. The imagery reflects the cultural and political climate of the Medici-era Florence, and their complex negotiation of power. Allegories were tools through which rulers manufactured identity, power, and legitimacy. Here, Cosimo is presented within a framework of divine right and historical importance. The image is crowded with symbolic figures which are designed to evoke a sense of awe and reverence. But by the 17th century, the Medici’s power was waning, and Cosimo's rule was marked by economic decline and political challenges. The print’s display of wealth and power then, might also be viewed as a form of compensation, intended to project an image of strength and stability at a time of uncertainty. What does it mean to look back at this work now? What do these grandiose displays of power mean to us today?