Hongersnood onder de Leidenaren, 1574 1612 - 1614

Willem de Haen made this print, "Famine during the Siege of Leiden," sometime in the late 16th century. It captures the desperation of a city under siege during the Eighty Years' War. The image depicts the horrors of starvation, a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict. The print visually communicates the extreme conditions through scenes of emaciated figures, desperate pleas for food, and even implied cannibalism. De Haen's work serves not just as a historical record but also as a form of social commentary, highlighting the suffering endured by the civilian population. To fully understand this image, one must delve into the history of the Dutch Revolt and the role of Leiden within it. Archival research, period accounts, and studies of the war's impact on civilian life provide further context. This is a work that reminds us of the importance of understanding art within its specific socio-political context.