Tekstblad bij de prent Witten Wonder Spiegel uit 1675 1675

This is a text sheet made by Romeyn de Hooghe in 1675. It’s related to the print called 'Witten Wonder Spiegel' and can be found at the Rijksmuseum. Looking at this sheet, it is striking to remember the prominent role played by the de Witt brothers in Dutch politics during the 17th century, and their gruesome murder in 1672. Understanding the public role of art in the Netherlands at that time is crucial. Visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations are all deployed here in the service of political commentary. The piece acts as a potent commentary on the political turmoil and social divisions of the Dutch Republic at this time, and on the nature of political power itself. To fully understand its context, we might consult archival sources, political pamphlets, and contemporary accounts of the period. The meaning of art is always contingent on social and institutional context, and it's the historian's role to unpack these layers of meaning.