Laatste schot van Dordrecht naar de Fransen in Papendrecht, 1813 1813 - 1838

Johannes Christiaan Schotel created this drawing, “Last Shot from Dordrecht to the French in Papendrecht, 1813,” using pen in gray on gray paper. It represents a moment during the French occupation of the Netherlands, a period that deeply impacted Dutch national identity and pride. Schotel, born in 1787, lived through this tumultuous era, which shaped his artistic perspective. In the drawing, the artist captures the defiance of Dordrecht against the French forces, with the ‘last shot’ symbolizing resistance against foreign oppression. But it also speaks to the complex relationship between the Dutch and the French, as the ideals of the French Revolution had previously been welcomed by some. Schotel's choice to depict this event reflects a desire to immortalize Dutch resilience and to assert cultural and national pride, a theme that resonates throughout his oeuvre. The somber tones evoke the socio-political climate of the time and invite a dialogue about power, resistance, and the enduring spirit of a nation.