In 't Jaar 1574 c. 1789 - 1810

This tiny drawing was made in the Netherlands, and it depicts an event from 1574. It's rendered in delicate pen strokes and wash by an anonymous hand. What could a scene from nearly two centuries before the drawing’s execution mean to the Dutch Republic? Well, 1574 was a crucial year in the Dutch revolt against Spanish rule, and the location, just outside a church, suggests the importance of religion in this conflict. By visually referencing the past, this artwork takes part in constructing a collective memory and national identity. Historical documents such as pamphlets, chronicles, and civic records can shed light on the interpretation of historical artworks like this. Attending to the context helps us to understand art's capacity to reflect, reinforce, or even challenge the social order.