Titelprent voor 'Mitridaet, treurspel' van Joan Dullaart 1679

Romeyn de Hooghe created this print for Joan Dullaart's play 'Mitridaet, Treurspel.' The print encapsulates the political and cultural milieu of the Dutch Golden Age, a time of both prosperity and intense international conflict. De Hooghe’s image reflects the era’s preoccupation with classical themes, presenting a scene rife with drama and intrigue. Yet, beyond the surface, we find embedded the dynamics of power and identity that shaped Dutch society. The figures, adorned in classical garb, stand as archetypes caught in a moment of crisis. The opulence of their attire and the grandeur of the setting serve as a backdrop to the play's exploration of leadership, betrayal, and resistance. Consider how the artist uses the theatrical setting—the stage, the costumes, the gestures—to amplify the emotional weight of the narrative. It’s a reminder that the stories we tell, and the ways we choose to tell them, are reflections of our own values and anxieties.