Titelblad voor het pamflet: De Ontdekte Eenhoorn, 1701 1702

This is the title page, etched by Romeyn de Hooghe in 1701, for the pamphlet ‘The Discovered Unicorn’. The image shows a unicorn surrounded by predators in a fantastical landscape. But what did this mythical creature represent to the Dutch Republic at the turn of the 18th century? Well, the unicorn often symbolized purity, grace, and power. De Hooghe, though, was working in a society fractured by political and religious strife. Pamphlets like ‘The Discovered Unicorn’ were crucial tools in shaping public opinion and in satirizing political opponents. The unicorn here is likely an allegorical figure, perhaps representing a political leader or faction under threat. To fully understand this image, we need to delve into the historical context. Researching the political climate of the Dutch Republic at this time, exploring the symbolism of animals in Dutch art, and examining other pamphlets from the period would reveal more about the artist's intentions and how audiences understood it at the time. Through this, we can understand the public role of art as well as the politics of imagery.