Nederland sluit eeuwige vrede met Engeland 1674

This etching titled 'Nederland sluit eeuwige vrede met Engeland', or 'The Netherlands makes eternal peace with England', was created by Romeyn de Hooghe in the Netherlands. Here, we see allegorical figures of the Netherlands and England sealing their bond with a handshake, overlooked by divine approval in the heavens above. This print commemorates a pivotal moment in Anglo-Dutch relations during a period marked by intense maritime and commercial rivalry. The tension between both countries was palpable. De Hooghe’s idealized vision of peace, set against the backdrop of tumultuous international relations, speaks to the role of art as a tool for shaping public perception. The use of allegory allows the artist to convey complex political messages in a visually accessible form. Art historians often delve into diplomatic archives and period publications to better understand such artworks. By studying these resources, we can better contextualize the artist’s vision within the broader scope of 17th-century European politics.