Grote plaat van de moord op de gebroeders De Witt, 1672 1672

Romeyn de Hooghe's engraving from 1672 depicts "The Murder of the De Witt Brothers," a stark image of political violence in the Dutch Republic. The print encapsulates the tumultuous period known as the Rampjaar or disaster year, when the Dutch Republic was at war with England, France, and several German states. The brothers De Witt, Johan and Cornelis, were prominent statesmen, and their brutal assassination by a mob in The Hague reflected deep political divisions and social unrest. De Hooghe’s detailed depiction includes portraits of the brothers framed by symbols of state, contrasted with the chaotic scene of their lynching. Examining such prints offers insights into the political climate, popular sentiment, and the role of visual media in shaping public opinion. Contemporary pamphlets and archival records can further illuminate the historical context, revealing the complex interplay of power, propaganda, and collective action in the 17th-century Dutch Republic.