Penning op de Vrede van Breda 1718

Bernard Picart created this etching in 1718, commemorating the Peace of Breda. This treaty, signed in 1667, ended the Second Anglo-Dutch War, a conflict largely fought over maritime trade routes. The print depicts a fleet of ships, symbolizing Dutch naval power, with an angel overhead heralding “Glory to God alone.” This slogan encapsulates the complex relationship between religion, politics, and commerce in the 17th century. The Dutch Republic, a Protestant nation, saw its economic success as a sign of divine favor, which justified its global trade ambitions. The text in the center translates to: ‘S.M. is out of Holland sailed from Scheveling toward his kingdoms 1660 June 2’ However, this triumph came at a cost. The Dutch dominance in trade often involved exploiting and displacing indigenous populations in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. So while the print celebrates peace and prosperity for the Dutch, it also reminds us of the era’s complex interplay of power, faith, and colonial expansion. It invites us to reflect on whose peace and prosperity were being celebrated, and at whose expense.