Slag van Lekkerbeetje, 1600 1682 - 1684

Joseph Mulder created this print titled 'Slag van Lekkerbeetje' around 1700 using etching techniques. This image offers a window into the Dutch Republic's self-fashioning during its Golden Age. Battles like the one depicted here were crucial in defining the nation's identity. But how does Mulder, working decades later, shape this memory? Note the chaotic yet ordered composition, common in battle scenes, which emphasizes Dutch courage and strategic prowess. The print also speaks to the era's burgeoning print culture, where images played a vital role in shaping public opinion. Studying period publications, pamphlets, and other visual materials can provide deeper insights into the cultural and political meanings embedded in this work. What was the role of the Rijksmuseum, where this image is housed, in shaping Dutch national identity? By looking into these sources, we can understand how art both reflects and actively shapes the social and institutional contexts of its time.