In the course of his travels as an artist, Hans von Aachen visited Venice, Rome and Florence. From 1596 he was in Prague, where he served as Chamber Painter at Rudolph II’s court. Alongside Spranger and Heintz, von Aachen is considered a prominent representative of Rudolfine painting. This tendency is characterized by an elegant portrayal of the figures, also based on Parmigianino’s style, as can be seen on close examination of the present work. The drawing can be linked to a painting dated 1602, which the Emperor commissioned to the artist. Today it adorns the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg and features an allegory interpreted as peace, which enables fertility and the flourishing of the sciences. (Sonja Brink)