Plate 9: Allegory on the Discord in France, from Caspar Barlaeus, "Medicea Hospes" 1638

This etching, “Plate 9: Allegory on the Discord in France,” by Pieter Nolpe, was created in 1638. It depicts a dramatic allegorical scene of France, personified as a woman, caught in the midst of political upheaval. The artwork features a globe, a central symbol of France, being attacked and broken, as figures representing various factions of the country fight and despair around her. The image, with its complex symbolism and theatrical presentation, offers a powerful commentary on the state of France during a time of great political unrest. Notably, this etching was part of a series created for Caspar Barlaeus’s “Medicea Hospes” which reflects the broader European interest in political and philosophical themes during the 17th century. The piece is housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and stands as a significant example of Dutch Baroque art.