Artwork
The Lion Announces a Peace
The Lion Announces a Peace is an ink print by the Baroque artist Allart van Everdingen. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created around 1650, this etching by Dutch artist Everdingen presents a heraldic lion standing upright before a rugged landscape.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1650, this etching by Dutch artist Everdingen presents a heraldic lion standing upright before a rugged landscape. The lion clutches a scroll, a visual cue that suggests the proclamation of peace, while a crowd of figures gathers around the animal amid trees and cliffs.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure—a lion holding a scroll—evokes the traditional symbol of authority and the act of announcing a treaty. Although the scroll implies a peaceful message, the composition conveys tension: the assembled people are tightly packed, their gazes divided between the lion and one another, hinting at uncertainty or apprehension.
Technique & Style
Executed in the etching medium, the work relies on incised lines that retain ink after the acid bath, producing a dense, textured surface. The line work is notably rough and scratchy, giving the scene a sketch‑like immediacy that enhances the dynamic, crowded atmosphere.
History & Provenance
Everdingen, active in the Dutch Republic during the Golden Age, was known for both etchings and mezzotints. This particular print reflects his engagement with the printmaking practices of the mid‑17th century, though specific ownership records for the piece are not documented.
Context
The image aligns with the period’s interest in heraldic motifs and allegorical representations of political events. By placing a symbolic animal within a natural setting, the work merges the era’s fascination with both emblematic authority and the dramatic potential of the Dutch landscape.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Allaert van Everdingen (Dutch pronunciation: ; bapt. 18 June 1621 – 8 November 1675 (buried)), was a Dutch Golden Age painter and printmaker in etching and mezzotint.
