Deugd overwint de oorlog 1580 - 1596

Hendrick Goltzius created this print entitled "Virtue Overcomes War" in the Netherlands. This piece embodies the complex relationship between art and society, particularly in times of conflict. Goltzius uses allegorical figures to convey his message. We see "virtue" triumphing over the destructive forces of war. The image's visual codes rely on classical imagery and humanist values, referencing the desire for peace during the religious and political conflicts of the Dutch Golden Age. Goltzius' work critiques the social structures of his time by promoting virtue as a means to overcome the chaos of war. To fully appreciate this print, research into the history of the Dutch Republic and the role of humanist ideas in shaping social values should be made. The meaning of art, as demonstrated here, is always deeply rooted in its social and institutional context.