Afkondiging van de Pacificatie van Gent, 1576 1787

Reinier Vinkeles created this engraving, "Proclamation of the Pacification of Ghent, 1576," in the late 18th century, a time of significant political and social change in Europe. The image depicts a pivotal moment in Dutch history, the announcement of an agreement intended to bring peace between the rebelling Dutch provinces and Spain. Vinkeles, working long after the actual event, taps into a collective memory and shapes a narrative about Dutch identity. The figures on the platform, rendered with a certain formality, contrast with the crowd below, their faces a mix of anticipation and skepticism. What did this "peace" truly mean for them? Engravings like this were often used as propaganda, reinforcing certain values and historical interpretations. Vinkeles’ work invites us to consider how historical events are framed and remembered, and whose stories are prioritized in the construction of national identity. What does it mean to depict such an event during the Enlightenment, and how might Vinkeles’ own political context have influenced his portrayal?