Allegorie op de neutraliteit van de Republiek in de Oostenrijkse Successieoorlog, 1742 1673 - 1742

Arnoud van Halen made this print in 1742 as an allegory on the Dutch Republic's neutrality during the War of the Austrian Succession. It provides a window onto the political and cultural values of the Dutch Republic at the time. We can see how it makes meaning through its visual codes. The central figure enthroned on clouds holds a bundle of lightning bolts. Beside him is an eagle, a traditional symbol of power. Below, we see river gods. This combination of figures draws on established visual traditions to create a scene that feels both familiar and authoritative to a contemporary audience. The print also speaks to its specific historical moment, a time of complex political maneuvering, which saw the Dutch Republic trying to remain neutral. Art historical research into pamphlets, political debates, and diplomatic correspondence of the time can shed light on the significance of this image. Art is contingent on its social and institutional context.