Allegory of Concord 1670

Curator: This delicate engraving is titled *Allegory of Concord*, and was created by Melchior Küsel. Its current home is the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's quite striking, this contrast of grand scale and fine line work! The central figure dominates the scene, and the fabric seems to ripple with a life of its own. Curator: Indeed. Notice how the figure holds both a pomegranate and a tray of what appear to be seeds? The pomegranate, with its many seeds, is a long-standing symbol of unity and shared purpose. Editor: I'm curious about the material reality of its production. Engraving requires precision, demanding a certain level of craft and labor to realize such intricate detail. Curator: And look at the background details. A couple embraces in a tent, while armed figures are entering a fortress. Quite a mix of motifs! Editor: Ultimately, both imagery and physical crafting tell a story. Each element suggests a specific means of production, both of image and idea. Curator: So true. The symbols really draw me in. It is quite profound to see how harmony can be suggested through such potent and diverse motifs. Editor: And it is fascinating to appreciate how materiality and process are so intrinsic to imbuing symbolic meaning in an image.