Portret van Hugo de Groot c. 1669 - 1731

This is Pieter van Gunst’s engraving of Hugo de Groot, made sometime between 1659 and 1724. It shows the famous Dutch jurist and scholar Hugo de Groot, also known as Grotius, in an oval frame. Engravings like this one circulated widely in the Dutch Republic, helping to shape public perceptions of important figures. The inscription below the portrait adds another layer of meaning, suggesting that the image was created to celebrate and commemorate the life of Hugo de Groot. The Dutch Golden Age was a time of intense intellectual and cultural exchange, and portraits like this one played a vital role in shaping the historical consciousness of the nation. Studying historical documents and printed matter from the time, we can get a better understanding of how art and imagery can contribute to the creation of collective memory.