Hugo de Groot wordt op de binnenplaats van het huis van A. Daatselaar te Gorinchem uit de boekenkist geholpen c. 1775 - 1800

This drawing depicts Hugo de Groot being helped out of a book chest in the courtyard of A. Daatselaar's house in Gorinchem. It was made by an anonymous artist using pen and brown ink, brush and gray wash on paper. The relatively simple materials belie the complexity of the scene: a clandestine operation to liberate a political prisoner. Note how the artist used delicate lines to create a sense of depth and shadow, guiding our eye to the unfolding drama. The texture of the paper itself adds to the work’s character, its slight imperfections grounding the depicted event in a tangible reality. This artwork exemplifies the power of drawing as a medium for storytelling, imbuing a seemingly mundane scene with historical weight and intrigue. It reminds us that even the simplest materials, when wielded with skill and intention, can convey profound narratives.