Vrede (Peace) - Zacharias Dolendo

A late sixteenth-century Dutch engraving by Zacharias Dolendo, depicting the allegorical figure of Peace with traditional symbols of harmony.

This engraving, titled Vrede (Peace), is a work by the Dutch artist Zacharias Dolendo, produced around 1596. The composition follows the conventions of Northern Mannerism, a style characterised by elongated figures, complex poses, and a focus on allegorical subjects. The central figure represents Peace, personified as a woman adorned with a laurel wreath and holding an olive branch, which serves as a traditional symbol of harmony. She also carries a pair of doves, further reinforcing the theme of tranquillity.

The figure is positioned against a backdrop that contrasts a serene, pastoral setting with the remnants of conflict. In the background, small figures are depicted engaged in leisure, suggesting a return to normalcy after a period of war. The Latin inscription at the base, 'Submissus reuera animus post horrida bella, Paci aureae dux aureus', translates to the idea of a humble spirit following terrible wars, guided by golden peace. This text provides the moral framework for the image, common in the print culture of the late sixteenth-century Netherlands.

Dolendo, who was active in Leiden, worked within a circle of printmakers who frequently collaborated with designers such as Jacques de Gheyn II. The engraving demonstrates the technical precision typical of the period, with fine cross-hatching used to create volume in the drapery and depth in the surrounding environment. The light emanating from behind the figure suggests a divine or idealised state, separating the personification of Peace from the earthly realm below. This print is a clear example of how classical iconography was adapted by Northern European artists to communicate contemporary political and social ideals during the Dutch Revolt.