De werking der vryheids zoonen. allegorie patriotten Brasser

Leendert Brasser (1727-1793), after François Joseph Pfeiffer (I) (1741-1807); text by Petrus Johannes Kasteleijn (1746-1794)

Antique print, etching and engraving | Allegory of the Dutch Patriots (allegorie op de patriotten met piramide), published 1784, 1 p.

Name: Antique print, etching and engraving | Allegory of the Dutch Patriots (allegorie op de patriotten met piramide), published 1784, 1 p.
SKU: PR121444
Price: 150.00 EUR
Availability: OutOfStock

A broadside with an allegory on the Dutch Patriot determination to defend republican ideas, protecting the Netherlands from the Orangists and other evil forces; with an engraving by Brasser after Pfeiffer showing in the background a large formation of soldiers next to a pyramid which is decorated with the seven coats-of-arms of the United Provinces, in the central right middle ground the Dutch Lion and a group of soldiers forcing various people, animals, and allegorical figures away, on the left William V in a suit of armour holding two wreaths and stepping on a shield and arms, in the left foreground a group of Patriot soldiers erecting a long lance surmounted with a freedom hat; with engraved title and verses by Kasteleijn in two columns.

In 1781, the so-called Patriot movement began, which aimed at thorough reforms in the Netherlands. Members of the movements met at Utrecht to discuss the reforms. Due to the rising pressure, in 1784 the Duke of Brunswick (Prussian commander, governor of s’Hertogenbosch in the service of the stadholder, had to leave the Netherlands. The movement was supported by Free Corps, and the princely was forced to meet the demands of the patriots. The Patriots were opposed by members of the princely part, the Orangists, which were outnumbered at most places. Prince Willem V moved from The Hague to Hey Loo near Nijmegen. William V was advised by his brother-in-law, Frederick William II, King of Prussia, to take stronger action. In 1787 a civil war broke out, the Patriots held Holland and the city of Utrecht, while the Orangists held the states of Gelderland and Utrecht (without the capital city). In May 1787, the stadholder’s troops were defeated near Vreeswijk by the Free Corps from the city of Utrecht. When Princess Wilhelmina was stopped by patriot free corps near Goejanverwellesluis on June 28th 1787, she applied to her brother King Frederick William of Prussia for help. On September 13th a Prussian army of 20,000 men under the command of Ferdinand Duke of Brunswick crossed the border, demanding satisfaction. The Prussians found the fortress of Vianaen deserted, the city of Utrecht surrendered, and the fortress of Woerden offered no resistance. Knowing of the advancing Prussian troops, the mob in Amsterdam had plundered several houses of patriot regents. The stadholder returned to The Hague. Amsterdam, the last city to hold out, surrendered on October 10th. The consequences of the Prussian invasion were that the Patriot revolution was terminated, and that reformist acts were repealed. Many patriots fled the country (mostly to Paris), Prussia demanded no territorial or other concessions, and William V was back in full charge. After the outbreak of the French Revolution (1789), the patriots would return from Paris in 1795 to establish the Batavian Republic. [from the British Museum record].

Signed and dated: F. J. Pfeiffer inv. et delin. 1784. / L. Brasser sculp.

Titled at bottom center: De werking der vryheids zoonen.

[NL] Allegorie op de burgerkorpsen die de vrijheid in Nederland bevorderen. Een vrijkorps verjaagt samen met de Nederlandse Leeuw bij een piramide met de wapens van de zeven provincies de Tweedracht, Verraad, Muitzucht, Eigenbaat en Heerszucht. Links wordt door soldaten de vrijheidsstandaard (lans en hoed) opgericht. In het onderschrift twee zesregelige verzen. Ets en gravure gemaakt door Leendert Brasser.

SKU: PR121444

Etching and engraving on laid paper, with wide margins; total: 402 x 544 mm; state II/2 (state I before lettering documented at the Morgan Library, inv. 444090). Some tears and foldings along the most external margins, some light foxing also on the margins, vertical folding crease, overall in good condition. FM 4618, Van Stolk 4575.

€ 181,50 (€ 150,00 ex. btw)

Out of stock