Artwork

Allegory of the Treaty of Rijswijk, 1697

Allegory of the Treaty of Rijswijk, 1697, by Johannes Voorhout, oil, 1700
Allegory of the Treaty of Rijswijk, 1697, by Johannes Voorhout, oil, 1700

Allegory of the Treaty of Rijswijk, 1697 is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Johannes Voorhout. It dates from 1700 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Overview

Allegory of the Treaty of Rijswijk, 1697 is a Dutch Golden Age oil painting by Johannes Voorhout, created in 1700. It is now part of the Rijksmuseum's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The painting allegorically represents the Treaty of Rijswijk (1697). A central woman in blue, surrounded by four children and two winged figures (one blowing a horn, the other holding a sword), conveys themes of celebration, triumph, and possibly peace or protection. Her extended right hand suggests an impending gesture of connection or bestowal.

Technique & Style

The work employs chiaroscuro, a technique using strong contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of volume and depth, enhancing the emotional tone of the scene. The composition's balance and the use of symbolic figures are characteristic of allegorical paintings from the period.

History & Provenance

Painted in 1700 by Johannes Voorhout, a Dutch Republic-trained artist who also worked in Hamburg and Amsterdam, the painting's early history is not detailed here, but it is currently held in the Rijksmuseum's collection.

Context

Created during the Dutch Golden Age, the painting reflects the era's penchant for allegory in art, often used to commemorate significant political events like the Treaty of Rijswijk, which ended the Nine Years' War.

Legacy

While specific influences or direct artistic descendants are not highlighted, the painting contributes to the broader legacy of Dutch Golden Age allegorical art, offering insight into 17th-century political commemoration through symbolic representation.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Johannes Voorhout

Artist

Johannes Voorhout

Johannes Voorhout (11 November 1647 – 25 August 1717) was a Dutch painter of history paintings, portraits and genre scenes.

Rijksmuseum

Museum

Rijksmuseum

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Rijksmuseum open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.