Kamer waar de vrede is getekend in het Huis ter Nieuburch in Rijswijk, 1697

Jan van Vianen created this print, "Kamer waar de vrede is getekend in het Huis ter Nieuburch in Rijswijk, 1697," which translates to "Room where the peace was signed in the House ter Nieuburch in Rijswijk, 1697." The print captures a pivotal moment, the signing of the Treaty of Rijswijk, aiming to end the Nine Years' War. In the image, powerful men gather to negotiate peace, but what is the human cost of such a treaty? Who is not at the table? What happens to women and children? The lack of women raises questions about gendered power dynamics and representation in historical narratives. Peace treaties, while ostensibly about unity, are often forged in exclusion. Van Vianen’s work invites us to consider the narratives that are often absent from historical accounts. The pursuit of peace is a complex issue with profound implications for identity, power, and belonging.