'T sluiten der vrede te rijswijk / Anno 1694. Possibly 1500 - 1787

This print, 'The Closing of the Peace at Rijswijk,' was made in 1694 by Jan de Lange. Its image of a treaty signing resonates with the wider social and cultural context of 17th-century European politics, marked by ongoing conflicts and diplomatic efforts. The print creates meaning through visual codes associated with power, order, and prosperity. The stately buildings represent established authority. The procession suggests the movement of people and goods, referencing the economic structures of the time. The inclusion of hunting dogs points to the leisure activities of the elite. As an artwork made in the Dutch Republic, we might consider its relationship to the country’s political movements of the era, its commercial power, and its artistic traditions. The print offers a glimpse into the social conditions and cultural values of its time. Historians consult primary source materials such as treaties, diplomatic correspondence, and contemporary accounts to deepen our understanding. By studying its history, we begin to appreciate how its meaning is contingent on social and institutional context.