Allegory of the Return of Peace
Artist: Theodoor van Thulden (Dutch, 1606–1669)
Date: 1657
Medium: Oil on canvas
Collection: The North Brabant Museum, Hertogenbosch, Netherlands
Description
Allegorical representation of two female figures surrounded by angels, who personify Justice and Abundance. According to the inscription 'justice and peace embrace each other' (Psalm 85), this is an allegory of peace. The various attributes relate to this: the sword of justice, the staff of Mercury, the horn of plenty, the burning of weapons, the rabbit as a symbol of vigilance, the tambourine as a sign of joy. The Janus head with inscription refers to the Roman custom of opening the temple of Janus when war broke out and only closing it again when peace had been signed.
