Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn: The concord of the state (1637-1641)

(Museum Boijmans van Beuningen, Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

A painting made by the Dutch artist Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669). This painting is an oil sketch referring to the political situation of the Netherlands around 1637. Around 1637, during the Dutch war of independence against Spain, there was a discussion of whether or not to start negotiating a peace with Spain. The Dutch stadtholder prince Frederick Henry of Orange, the leading soldier in the Dutch wars against Spain, and several cities wanted to keep on fighting so the Netherlands could get a better starting point for negotiations. The city of Amsterdam, the main trading port of the Netherlands, wanted peace. In the print prince Frederick Henry can be seen in the background leading a large group of cavalry (the supporters of Frederick Henry) into battle. On the right several horsemen are standing still - they symbolize Amsterdam. The lion on the left symbolizes the Netherlands. Print from 1637-1641.