Allegorie op de dood van Michiel de Ruyter, 1676 1676 - 1677

Romeyn de Hooghe created this print, "Allegory on the Death of Michiel de Ruyter" in 1676, now held at the Rijksmuseum. It memorializes the death of Dutch Admiral Michiel de Ruyter, amidst a complex allegory typical of the period. Consider how the Dutch Golden Age, though a period of economic and artistic flourishing, was also deeply implicated in colonialism and maritime conflict. De Ruyter himself was a key figure in these naval engagements, fighting wars that were fundamentally about trade, power, and control of global resources. The print blends classical and nationalistic imageries, with allegorical figures mourning the fallen hero. Notice how it presents a narrative of valor and sacrifice while being intertwined with the harsh realities of maritime expansionism. The death of a celebrated admiral is not just a personal loss, but a moment laden with political and economic consequences. This piece prompts us to reflect on how heroes are made, and what costs are obscured in the making.