Het beschieten der stad Dordrecht door de Franschen. 24e November 1813 1864

Johannes Hermanus van der Heijden created this print titled 'The Bombardment of the City of Dordrecht by the French, 24th November 1813,' documenting a specific moment during the Napoleonic Wars. Van der Heijden made this print long after the depicted events, imbuing it with layers of historical reflection. Consider how the artist approaches themes of national identity and conflict. The choice to depict this event speaks to a desire to remember a time of upheaval and resistance. This work provides insight into the collective memory of the Netherlands. How might the experience of occupation and conflict shape a nation’s sense of itself? The detailed rendering invites us to reflect on the human cost of war and the resilience of communities in the face of adversity. It’s a story not just of a city under siege, but of a people enduring.