Standbeeld van de hertog van Alva, 1571 1728 - 1730

This 18th century engraving, "Standbeeld van de hertog van Alva, 1571," depicts the Duke of Alva, a Spanish general who served as governor of the Netherlands in the 16th century. The image shows him standing atop a pedestal, his figure larger than life, emphasizing his authority. The inscription on the pedestal commemorates his role in the suppression of the Dutch Revolt, reflecting the complex historical perspective surrounding the figure of Alva. The artwork, part of the Rijksmuseum collection, is a prime example of 18th-century printmaking.