Johan en Cornelis de Witt overvallen in hun kamer in de Gevangenpoort, 1672 1853 - 1861

Jan van der Veen created this print of the De Witt brothers in 1872. It depicts a key moment in Dutch history when Johan and Cornelis de Witt were attacked in prison. This image is rife with political and cultural meaning. It portrays a dramatic scene, with Cornelis in bed, hands raised in defense, and Johan standing protectively. The setting is stark, within the confines of the Gevangenpoort prison. The print was made almost two centuries after the event, during a time when national identity and historical narratives were being solidified in the Netherlands. The De Witt brothers were key figures in Dutch politics, and their brutal murder marked a turning point in the nation's history. Prints like these served to shape public memory of the event, and as art historians, we can analyze them alongside other accounts, pamphlets, and historical documents to understand the complex social and political forces at play in the Dutch Golden Age.