Penning met verwijzingen naar de Republiek der Zeven Verenigde Nederlanden als zeemogendheid 1710 - 1733

Bernard Picart created this print, *Penning met verwijzingen naar de Republiek der Zeven Verenigde Nederlanden als zeemogendheid*, sometime between 1693 and 1733. It reflects the Dutch Republic’s identity as a dominant naval power. On the left, allegorical figures surround a woman holding a cornucopia, symbolizing prosperity and abundance. The figures and overflowing cornucopia speak to the wealth derived from maritime trade. On the right, warships sail under a radiant sun, underscoring the Republic’s military strength and reach across the seas. Picart’s print also subtly acknowledges the human cost of maritime power. We might ask ourselves, who bore the brunt of these overseas ventures? The legacy of the Dutch Republic is complex, intertwining economic success with exploitation and violence. The contrast between the abundant prosperity and the machinery of war evokes a nuanced understanding of the period.