Artwork
Alliance of Peace and Abundance
Alliance of Peace and Abundance is a print by the Baroque artist Bartolommeo Coriolano. It dates from 1642 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1642 by the Italian printmaker Bartolommeo Coriolano, *Alliance of Peace and Abundance* is an etching held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work pairs two female figures in a compact composition, each embodying a symbolic attribute that conveys the intertwined concepts of tranquility and plenty.
Subject & Meaning
One figure clutches a palm branch, a traditional emblem of peace, while the other supports a cornucopia brimming with fruit and blossoms, representing abundance. Their close proximity suggests a harmonious relationship between these ideals, a visual allegory that was common in 17th‑century iconography.
Technique & Style
Coriolano employs the chiaroscuro characteristic of Baroque prints, using deep shadows and stark highlights to model the draped robes and give the figures a three‑dimensional presence. The background is rendered with vigorous, textured lines that evoke the suggestion of waves or rocky terrain, adding dynamism to the scene.
History & Provenance
The etching entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the early 20th century, though earlier ownership records are sparse. Its presence in a major American collection reflects the broader interest in Italian Baroque prints among European and American collectors during that period.
Artist & collection
Artist
Bartolommeo Coriolano was an Italian printmaker during the Baroque period, mainly in colour woodcuts.
