Aankomst van de Spaanse gezanten te Rijswijk, 1608 1780 - 1795

Reinier Vinkeles created this print, "Arrival of the Spanish Envoys in Rijswijk, 1608," well over a century and a half after the depicted event. It marks a pivotal moment in Dutch history when representatives from Spain arrived to negotiate what would become the Twelve Years' Truce. Vinkeles, working in the late 18th century, invites us to reflect on Dutch identity and its complex relationship with Spain. The truce was a strategic pause in the Eighty Years' War, an assertion of Dutch independence and a shift in global power dynamics. This image encapsulates the visible markers of race and class within this specific history. Consider how such historical depictions shape our understanding of national identity. Vinkeles’ print isn't just a record; it's an interpretation, a statement on power, and an artifact of its own time. It invites us to contemplate who is included, who is excluded, and what stories are deemed worthy of remembrance.