Who painted Allegory of the Treaty of Rijswijk, 1697?

Allegory of the Treaty of Rijswijk, 1697 was painted by Johannes Voorhout in 1700.

Where can I see Allegory of the Treaty of Rijswijk, 1697?

Allegory of the Treaty of Rijswijk, 1697 is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Allegory of the Treaty of Rijswijk, 1697?

Allegory of the Treaty of Rijswijk, 1697 is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of Allegory of the Treaty of Rijswijk, 1697?

Museum-quality prints of Allegory of the Treaty of Rijswijk, 1697 are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Allegory of the Treaty of Rijswijk, 1697

Johannes Voorhout , 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

Technique & Style

The handling emphasizes clear contours and a restrained palette, with local color areas defined by strong chiaroscuro to model form and create depth.

The painting is executed in oil on canvas, a typical medium for Dutch Baroque allegorical works. The canvas dimensions are 146 by 121.5 cm. The composition is densely packed with figures and symbolic attributes, rendered with the precise brushwork and smooth finish characteristic of late seventeenth-century Dutch painting. The handling emphasizes clear contours and a restrained palette, with local color areas defined by strong chiaroscuro to model form and create depth. The overall formal quality is orderly and didactic, prioritizing legibility of the allegorical narrative over painterly spontaneity.

History & Provenance

The work was commissioned to commemorate the Treaty of Rijswijk (1697), which ended the Nine Years' War. Johannes Voorhout completed the painting in 1698, as indicated by the date inscribed on the canvas. The allegorical composition presents classical figures symbolizing peace and negotiation, reflecting the treaty's significance.

The painting entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, where it remains held today. Museum records list it with dimensions of 146 cm in height and 121.5 cm in width, confirming its continuous institutional custody since acquisition.

The painting is held by the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. Its inventory number is SK-C-1893.

It was included in the exhibition “De Vrede van Rijswijk 1697” held at the Mauritshuis, The Hague, in 1997 to mark the tricentennial of the treaty.

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.

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.