Opening van het vredescongres te Utrecht, 1712 1712

This etching by Pieter Schenk depicts the opening of the peace congress in Utrecht in 1712. The scene takes place in the Stadhuis, with a circular table surrounded by delegates from various European powers, including France, Great Britain, and the Netherlands. Schenk’s engraving captures a pivotal moment in European history, showcasing the negotiations that concluded the War of the Spanish Succession, a conflict that had raged across Europe for over a decade. The detailed etching highlights the formal setting of the event and the solemnity of the occasion. The scene is further enriched by the presence of coats of arms, signifying the importance of national representation in the peace talks. The etching “Opening van het vredescongres te Utrecht, 1712”, is now housed in the Rijksmuseum.