Allegorie op de afscheiding van de kunstenaars uit het Haagse St. Lucasgilde 1686 - 1691

Mattheus Terwesten created this reddish-brown pen drawing, "Allegory on the Secession of the Artists from the Hague Guild of St. Luke," to commemorate a schism in the local art world. In the late 17th century, artists' guilds like St. Luke's were powerful, controlling artistic training, production, and sales. Terwesten's drawing depicts a revolt against this system, a desire for artistic freedom. Notice the figures, some angelic, some more earthly, all caught in a swirl of emotion and action. The scene suggests a moment of upheaval, of breaking away from old structures. These guilds, while offering protection, could also stifle innovation and reinforce hierarchies. This allegory reflects a shift towards individualism in the arts, a move away from collective control. It is a celebration of those who dared to challenge the established order, seeking a more liberated artistic existence.