De wakkere leeuw, 1615 1615

This is "The Awake Lion," an engraving made around 1615 by an anonymous artist, now held in the Rijksmuseum. The composition is divided into distinct registers, creating a layered narrative. In the foreground, a lion, the symbol of Dutch resistance, is chained yet alert, juxtaposed with symbols of oppression and conflict. Above, we see a scene of turmoil and chaos with figures being thrown into a cauldron. The engraving is densely packed with allegorical figures and scenes, rendered in meticulous detail. The contrast between the static, symbolic foreground and the dynamic, action-filled background creates a tension. This visual structure serves to highlight the complex political and religious conflicts of the time. The meticulous lines and contrasting tones emphasize the underlying instability and the struggle for liberation. The engraving functions as both a historical document and a powerful statement on Dutch identity and resistance.