18th-Century Copper Engraving – Peace of Münster (1648) – Illustration from Vaderlandsche Historie - Simon Fokke (1754

Imagine: you are in a richly decorated hall in Münster, the moment charged with tension. Diplomats from the Republic and Spain face each other, the eighty-year war lingering in the air, and with a simple oath, history will change forever. You witness the exact moment peace is sealed.

This impressive copper engraving brings that historical moment to life.

The print was made in 1754 by the Amsterdam artist Simon Fokke (1712–1784) as an illustration for the eleventh volume of Vaderlandsche Historie (Fatherland History), the famous historical work by Jan Wagenaar. Fokke based his composition on an earlier engraving by Jonas Suyderhoef, which in turn refers to Gerard ter Borch's world-famous painting from 1648, an iconic depiction of the Peace of Münster.

The scene shows the swearing-in of the peace agreements that ended the Eighty Years' War. On the left are the Dutch delegates, recognizable by their Protestant oath: they raise their index and middle fingers. On the right are the Spanish diplomats, who take the oath with a hand on a Bible and a crucifix, according to Catholic custom.

The six Dutch representatives are carefully depicted and historically identified, including Adriaen Pauw, one of the most important diplomats of the Republic. On the Spanish side, we see, among others, the influential envoy Gaspar de Bracamonte y Guzmán, Count of Peñaranda.

On the table in the middle are the boxes in which the official peace documents were kept, intended for shipment to The Hague and Madrid. A subtle detail that underlines the historical significance of this moment.

A remarkable historical detail: the province of Zeeland long resisted this peace. Due to their profitable privateering, they saw little advantage in ending the war. Their representative, Johan de Knuyt, was present but was initially not allowed to sign the treaty. It was only months later that Zeeland finally agreed.

This engraving is thus not only a work of art but a visual document of one of the most important political moments in Dutch history.

Features

• Creator: Simon Fokke (1712–1784), Amsterdam
• Year: 1754
• Publication: Vaderlandsche Historie by Jan Wagenaar (volume 11)
• Depiction: Oath of the Peace of Münster (1648)
• Based on work by Jonas Suyderhoef and painting by Gerard ter Borch
• Technique: Copper engraving (book illustration)
• Original 18th-century print
• Richly detailed historical composition
• Authentic condition with signs of age

Specifications

• Technique: Copper engraving on handmade paper
• Dating: 1754
• Condition: Good, with natural signs of use commensurate with age
• Dimensions: Approximately 28 by 22.5cm