Hongersnood tijdens het beleg van Leiden, 1574 1854

J.C. Wendel made this drawing depicting the famine during the siege of Leiden in 1574. The image illustrates the devastating consequences of war on civilian populations. It shows the human suffering and desperation that arise when a city is cut off from essential resources. This drawing was made long after the actual events, at a time of rising Dutch nationalism. It’s important to remember that the siege of Leiden was a key moment in the Dutch Revolt against Spanish rule. The Dutch saw themselves as fighting for their freedom and religious independence. Artists and writers promoted ideas about Dutch identity and patriotism. The Leiden siege became a symbol of Dutch courage and resilience. Wendel’s drawing taps into this patriotic sentiment. Art historians like myself use these works as visual documents, as a way of exploring the history and the politics of Dutch national identity. We use archival sources and textual accounts to understand how historical events are framed and interpreted.