De vlucht van Hugo de Groot, 1621 1742

This 1742 etching by Simon Fokke depicts the escape of Hugo de Groot, a Dutch jurist and scholar, from prison in 1621. Fokke's artwork, part of a series on de Groot's life, shows the moment de Groot is being smuggled out of Loevestein Castle in a book chest. The scene is rendered in a dramatic style, with figures interacting in a confined space, highlighting the tension and secrecy of the escape. This print, now at the Rijksmuseum, is a significant example of 18th-century Dutch historical art, showcasing the popularity of de Groot's story and the skill of Fokke's engraving techniques.