Allegorie op de Noordse oorlog, 1700 1700

This engraving by Pieter van den Berge from around 1700 uses allegory to comment on the political situation in Europe at the time. It depicts Orpheus, the musician of Greek myth, surrounded by animals which each represent different European powers involved in the Great Northern War. It was a conflict mainly between Russia and Sweden for supremacy in the Baltic Sea. The image creates meaning through references to classical mythology and heraldic symbols. The lion is a traditional symbol of the Dutch Republic. The eagle probably represents the Holy Roman Empire. These would have been readily understood visual codes for contemporary viewers. The print also contains a poem with further explanation of the allegory, revealing the artist’s hope for peace and unity in Europe. The Rijksmuseum, where this print is housed, was founded in the 19th century to reflect and shape Dutch national identity. Studying prints like this, alongside archival sources, helps us to understand how political events were perceived and represented in the early modern period.