Graaf Adolf van Nieuwenaar bedreigd te Nijmegen, 1585 1823

Jacob Ernst Marcus made this print, Graaf Adolf van Nieuwenaar bedreigd te Nijmegen, in 1815. It depicts an event from 1585. The print shows a tense moment in the Dutch Revolt, with Count Adolf van Nieuwenaar facing an angry crowd in Nijmegen. Marcus was working long after the actual event, and the print reflects a renewed interest in Dutch history and national identity during the early 19th century. Prints like these played a crucial role in shaping historical memory and national consciousness. The Rijksmuseum, where this print is housed, was itself founded to showcase Dutch art and history, contributing to the construction of a national narrative. Marcus's work, therefore, participates in the 19th-century project of defining and celebrating Dutch identity through historical representation. To fully understand this print, we can consult historical archives, political pamphlets, and museum records. By exploring these resources, we gain insight into the complex interplay between art, history, and national identity in 19th-century Netherlands.