Allegory of the Flourishing Republic, 1602 by Jan Saenredam

Prince Maurice of Nassau arrives on horseback with a hunting party on the right, representing military security, while a seated woman representing the Dutch Republic rests under an orange tree on the left. She is surrounded by personifications of the Seven Liberal Arts and the god Mercury, who holds a caduceus, symbolizing the flourishing of wisdom and trade. In the background, expansive views show peaceful agricultural labor, shipping, and thriving urban architecture.

This print utilizes late Mannerist iconography to frame the Dutch Republic as a microcosm of cosmic order, where political stability allows the Neoplatonic 'Liberal Arts' and natural philosophy to thrive. The inclusion of an armillary sphere and the Seven Liberal Arts reflects the Renaissance ideal that a well-governed state must be aligned with intellectual and celestial harmony.

Inscriptions(Latin)

EMBLEMA. HODIERNI. RERUM. STATUS. IN. BELGICÂ. FOEDERATÂ. Virgo augusta, vivida, et speciosa; consistens editioré loco, sub arbo / rum umbrâ, quibus foederatarum Regionum ascensa insignia; BELGI / CAM Foederatam denotat, florentem ad huc, Dej benefició, atq, inconcussam. Circumsedens vero, Septem artium Liberalium Corona, qui / bus adlatus, invictae arbustae, accedit Mercurius; vigentia / Literarum, et Mercaturae studia designat. Subiecta autem, sinistrorsum a te; Planities, Agriculturam interturba / tam, offeras leiventes, Messis etiam prosperam; Navigationes longin / quas, Urbium incrementa, et quae alia sunt eius generis, luculenter exhibet. Bellum verò ipsum, Venatus comparatur; Cujus dux noster atq. Nemrod, / Nassovius, cum Socia Pallade, praedam ingentem, facerata Belgica, / per manus Victoria, offerendam curat. Haec Tabula summa est. Saenredam Inue. et sculp. AMSTELODAMI, Excudebat Hermannus Alardj. ANNO A CHRISTO NATO CIƆ. IƆ. C. II.

Translation

EMBLEM.
OF THE PRESENT.
STATE OF AFFAIRS.
IN.
CONFEDERATE.
BELGIUM.

An august, vivid, and beautiful maiden; standing in a higher place, under the shade of trees, upon which are suspended the insignia of the confederated Provinces; denotes Confederate BELGIUM, still flourishing, by the grace of God, and unshaken.

Sitting around her, indeed, is a Crown of the Seven Liberal Arts, to which, placed beside the invincible shrubs, Mercury approaches; he designates the vigorous pursuits of Letters and Commerce.

Below, however, to your left; a Plain, presenting undisturbed Agriculture, also a prosperous Harvest; clearly exhibits long-distance Navigation, the growth of Cities, and other things of that kind.

War itself, indeed, is compared to a Hunt; whose leader and our Nimrod, Nassau, together with his ally Pallas, sees to it that a huge prey, for Confederate Belgium, is offered by the hands of Victory. This is the sum of the Picture.

Saenredam inv. et sculp.
AMSTERDAM, Printed by Hermann Alard. IN THE YEAR OF CHRIST’S BIRTH 1602.

Allegory of the Flourishing Republic, 1602

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