Tekstblad bij de Allegorie op de Vrede van Aken, 1748 1748

This broadside, published in 1748 by Jan Meijer, celebrates the Treaty of Aachen with symbolic figures in the engraving, such as Peace, Apollo, and Mars. The text is a poem in Dutch. Note the central figure of Peace, a motif stretching back to antiquity. Peace is associated with notions of harmony and prosperity and recurs throughout history. The personification of peace has evolved, often depicted with an olive branch or cornucopia. Consider the figure of Mars, the Roman god of war, mentioned in the poem as being defeated. Mars embodies conflict and aggression; juxtapose this with the image of Apollo, associated with light and reason. These characters form a dynamic tension, reflecting the interplay between opposing forces. The symbols in this print are not fixed; their meanings shift and adapt depending on the historical context. These images resonate with our collective memory, tapping into deep-seated emotions and desires for peace. The cyclical nature of these symbols reveals how fundamental human experiences continuously resurface through art.