Cornelis Hop in de vergadering van de Staten van Holland, 1672 1853 - 1861

Jan van der Veen made this print of Cornelis Hop in the Assembly of the States of Holland in 1672. It gives us a glimpse into the political life of the Dutch Republic during a tumultuous period. The States of Holland was the governing body of the most powerful province in the Republic. This print, made some two centuries later, serves as a historical record and also a commentary on Dutch political culture. The composition is dominated by men in dark clothing, gathered in a formal setting around a table, evoking a sense of order and deliberation, essential to the functioning of the Republic. But the relatively late date of the print suggests a nostalgic look back at a time of national crisis, a moment that later generations might see as embodying the virtues of Dutch republicanism. As historians, we can delve deeper by exploring archival records, political pamphlets, and other visual representations of the period. By situating this image within its historical context, we can better understand its meanings and its role in shaping Dutch national identity.