De zelfopoffering van burgemeester Pieter van der Werff, 1574 1818 - 1899

This anonymous 19th-century drawing depicts a historical event: the self-sacrifice of Pieter van der Werff, the mayor of Haarlem, during the Siege of Haarlem in 1574. The scene portrays a chaotic moment with numerous figures, highlighting the desperate situation of the citizens of Haarlem as they face Spanish forces. The drawing’s composition is reminiscent of a narrative painting, with the focus on the mayor's action in the center, surrounded by a sea of desperate and fearful individuals. This work, housed in the Rijksmuseum, offers a glimpse into Dutch history and the sacrifices made during the Eighty Years' War.