Fransen steken de bevroren Waal over, 1795 1795

Joannes Bemme made this print of the French crossing the Waal River in 1795. The image commemorates a key moment in the French Revolutionary Wars and the fall of the Dutch Republic. The print uses visual codes to present the French army as a modern, disciplined force crossing a frozen river. Meanwhile, the Dutch Republic was weakened by internal divisions and vulnerable to revolutionary fervor. The French invasion led to the establishment of the Batavian Republic, signaling a major shift in Dutch history and its relationship with European powers. The image reflects the complex social and political dynamics of the late 18th century, with revolutionary ideals spreading across Europe and challenging existing power structures. Historical sources, such as military records, diplomatic correspondence, and political pamphlets, help us understand the full impact of the French invasion on Dutch society and its institutions.