Monument voor Johan van Oldenbarnevelt en Hendrik Danielsz. Hooft, 1787 1787

This 1787 print by an anonymous artist is titled "Monument for Johan van Oldenbarnevelt and Hendrik Danielsz. Hooft." It reflects the complex political and cultural landscape of the Dutch Republic during a period of internal conflict. The print depicts a monument to Johan van Oldenbarnevelt and Hendrik Danielsz. Hooft. Oldenbarnevelt was executed in 1619, and Hooft was a prominent writer and historian. The choice to honor these figures in 1787 is significant. It highlights the growing tensions between the Patriot movement, which sought to restore Dutch republicanism, and the Orangists, who supported the hereditary rule of the House of Orange. The monument is not just a tribute, but also a statement about power, memory, and national identity. The decision to depict it at this moment in time serves as an emotional and political commentary on the direction of the Dutch Republic. The image invites viewers to reflect on the values of freedom, justice, and self-governance.