Allegory of the Foundation of Oranienburg 

Gerard van Honthorst’s *Allegory of the Foundation of Oranienburg* is a historical painting depicting the founding of the city of Oranienburg. The painting features several figures, including a king and queen, as well as a man laying the foundation stone of the city, a symbolic gesture of the city’s creation. The scene is set in front of a large building, possibly the castle of Oranienburg. The painting is a fine example of Dutch Baroque painting, a style characterized by dramatic lighting, vibrant colors, and realistic detail. Van Honthorst's skill in capturing the interplay of light and shadow was inspired by the Italian masters of the late Renaissance, such as Caravaggio.