Allegorie op het Tweede Eeuwfeest van het Leids Ontzet, 1774 1774

Simon Fokke created this etching in 1774 to commemorate the second centennial of the Relief of Leiden, a pivotal event in Dutch history. Fokke’s work offers us a window into the prevailing sentiments and the construction of national identity during the 18th century. Allegory was a popular mode for visually articulating complex historical narratives, often idealizing events through symbolic representations. The central female figure embodies Leiden, honored for her resilience against Spanish siege. The etching is replete with symbols of peace, prosperity, and military strength, each carefully placed to evoke a sense of national pride and unity. However, it's essential to consider whose stories are elevated and whose are obscured. How might those excluded from positions of power and privilege have viewed these celebrations? The imagery serves to reinforce a specific narrative of Dutch heroism, one that’s critical to unpack.