De zelfopoffering van burgemeester Pieter van der Werff, 1574 1774

"De zelfopoffering van burgemeester Pieter van der Werff, 1574" is a 1774 etching by Reinier Vinkeles depicting a historical scene. The etching is a visual representation of Pieter van der Werff's sacrifice during the Dutch Revolt. Van der Werff, the mayor of Haarlem, was forced to surrender the city to the Spanish forces in 1574, and the engraving captures the moment of his surrender. The etching is a powerful example of 18th-century Dutch historical art, with the emphasis on the depiction of a historical event rather than a more idealized portrayal. The use of engraving allowed Vinkeles to capture the details of the scene, creating a sense of realism and immediacy. The etching is now part of the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, showcasing its historical and artistic significance.