Eendracht c. 1585 - 1590

Curator: Welcome. Here we have Philips Galle’s engraving, "Eendracht," created circa 1585-1590. It currently resides in the Rijksmuseum. Editor: My first thought? The figure at the center possesses a calm and powerful energy. It's remarkable how much weight is carried in those etched lines, so delicate but also deeply symbolic. Curator: Indeed. Galle was a master of imbuing these allegorical figures with significant meaning. Note the bundle of sticks she holds—a "fasces"—symbolizing strength through unity, dating back to ancient Roman iconography. Editor: Yes, but placed within the context of the late 16th century, during the Dutch Revolt, its meaning sharpens. This is a direct call for the provinces to unify against Spanish rule. The bundle will break if the provinces aren't unified and cooperative with one another. Curator: Precisely! And consider the caduceus she holds—a symbol of commerce, negotiation, and peace—which represents the hope for prosperous negotiations after conflict. These symbols act as a blueprint. Editor: The two turtledoves at her feet also contribute. They're symbols of peace and, importantly, fidelity. It drives home the message about trust and working together during fraught times of potential fracture. It's propaganda, of course. But it is skillfully designed. Curator: Very true. Even the direction of her gaze seems significant. It invites the viewer into this compact allegory. I'm struck by how a work made using simple lines could capture so much complexity and intent. It truly is a reflection of the era's political turbulence as well as Galle's artistic capability. Editor: And reminds us of the timeless struggle of forging a collective identity against external oppression, using these specific visual cues to unify a group in very direct and legible terms. This work is an assertion, not just a symbol. Curator: A potent and persuasive one, undeniably. Editor: Indeed. There's so much layered in this single image that connects both back and forward in cultural memory.