De Zweedse Kuiper, 1656 1656

"De Zweedse Kuiper" is an anonymous 17th-century print from the Netherlands depicting a humorous scene of a cooper (a barrel-maker) being tricked by a mischievous figure. The print is part of a larger series of broadsheets known as "prenten" which often featured satirical illustrations and accompanying poems. This particular print is a satirical commentary on the ongoing conflict between the Dutch Republic and the Swedish Empire. The scene is likely set in a tavern, with the cooper being shown as a clumsy, easy target for the prankster. The print is a valuable piece of 17th-century Dutch social history and artistic tradition.