Gebroeders de Witt aangevallen in hun kamer boven de Gevangenpoort, 1672 1755

Simon Fokke created this print to depict the attack on the De Witt brothers in 1672. The image plunges us into a critical moment in Dutch history, capturing the raw emotion and political turmoil of the time. The visual codes are quite overt: the De Witt brothers are positioned as vulnerable figures, while the aggressors are a chaotic mob, their weapons raised in anger. Made in the Netherlands, this artwork reflects the intense political climate following the Franco-Dutch War. Johan de Witt, the Grand Pensionary, and his brother Cornelis were blamed for the Republic's struggles. The print doesn't shy away from showing the brutal reality of mob violence and political assassination, a stark commentary on the fragility of power and public sentiment. Understanding this artwork requires delving into the historical context and contemporary accounts of the event, the political pamphlets and personal letters that shed light on the motivations and consequences of this pivotal moment. The meaning of this art is contingent on its social and institutional context.