Reproductie van een prent van een rand met Justitia en Vrede en fabelachtige dieren door Johannes Wierix naar Maerten de Vos before 1880

This print, made after a design by Maerten de Vos and engraved by Johannes Wierix, presents an allegorical border featuring Justitia and Pax, Justice and Peace. Note the prevalence of fable-like creatures intertwined with symbols of law and harmony. Justice, wielding her sword, and Peace, often depicted with an olive branch, represent fundamental societal aspirations. Yet, consider how these figures are framed—embedded within a bestiary of real and imagined animals. Do these creatures serve as mere decoration, or do they reflect a deeper, perhaps subconscious, commentary on the balance between civilization and the untamed? The concept of Justice, for instance, has ancient roots, appearing in various forms across cultures, from the Egyptian Ma'at to the Greek Themis. Each era shapes the symbol to reflect contemporary values and anxieties. Such symbols are not static; they evolve, revealing our enduring quest for order. The emotional resonance of these figures lies in their appeal to our collective memory, a primal yearning for balance and harmony.