Leidenaren weigeren het door de Spanjaarden aangeboden brood, 1574 1782

Theodoor Koning created this print titled 'Leidenaren weigeren het door de Spanjaarden aangeboden brood, 1574' or 'Citizens of Leiden Reject Bread Offered by the Spanish, 1574', sometime in the late 18th century. Koning was working during a period when national identity and historical narratives were being solidified in the Netherlands. This piece depicts an event from the Eighty Years' War, a conflict deeply woven into the Dutch struggle for independence. It captures a moment of defiance, where the citizens of Leiden refuse bread offered by the Spanish, choosing starvation over surrender. This act of resistance has become a symbol of Dutch resilience and national pride. What interests me is the story this image tells about power, identity, and sacrifice. Koning’s print encourages us to remember the past, and to consider how national narratives are constructed and what values they promote. As you reflect on this image, consider the human cost of conflict, and the complex choices individuals and communities face in times of crisis.