Ontzet van Londonderry, 1689 1689

Pieter Pickaert made this print of the Relief of Londonderry in 1689. It shows a clash between the Williamite forces relieving the city and the Jacobite army. The image is packed with visual and historical references that would have resonated with a Dutch audience at the time. Engravings like this one played a crucial role in shaping public opinion and national identity. Note how the artist makes visual the triumph of the Protestant cause over Catholic forces in Ireland. It reflected the Dutch Republic’s own struggle for independence from Spanish rule. The print would have been circulated through print shops and news outlets. These were institutions that helped to solidify a sense of shared identity and political purpose among the Dutch people. To understand this print fully, we can consult contemporary newspapers, pamphlets, and political tracts. This research will provide deeper insights into the social and political context in which the image was created and consumed.