The Netherlands, oppressed by Great Britain, is supported by the members of the League of Armed Neutrality (Russia, Denmark, Sweden). Etching, ca. 1780.

A print in favour of Dutch membership of the League of Armed Neutrality (1780-1783) against Great Britain. The aim of the League was to prevent Great Britain from searching or seizing vessels of neutral countries in the search for French contraband. Great Britain was opposed to the Netherlands joining the League

On the extreme left sits Justice (3), enthroned beneath a canopy holding her sword and scales. Before her are two figures, both symbolizing the Netherlands: (1) "Vryheid" (Liberty), and (2) "Voorzichtigheid" (Prudence). Liberty kneels holding up the hat of liberty on a staff, Prudence stands holding a caduceus with a mirror and a book, at her feet are an hourglass and an owl. Liberty and Prudence (the Netherlands) complain to Justice of the rupture of their alliance, the infringement of maritime rights, and the capture of their vessels: "Are we then to sigh for ever! To be for ever the toy of ambition! ..."

In the centre the Netherlands are also represented by (5) "Lankmoedigheit" (Endurance), a woman on hands and knees beneath a yoke which (4) "Heerschzucht" (Ambition), a feeble-looking woman personifying England, presses on her shoulders. Ambition says to Endurance (the oppressed Netherlands), "This yoke is to gall her shoulders, while her commerce still ploughs the ocean, while her navy is still far distant or dispersed and her frontiers are devoid of troops and succour." Thoughtlessness, Rapine, and Poverty, representing England, say, "Whatsoever it may cost we must remain masters, and whosoever does not act according to our wishes, we will rob him of his own, even though destitution should ensue."

A man in Roman armour (9), "Dapperheid" (Valour), personifying Denmark, stoops forward to raise Endurance from the ground; (10) 'Wysheid' (Wisdom), and (11) "Sterkte" (Strength), representing Sweden and Russia, stand by approvingly. Wisdom (or Minerva), a woman with a helmet and spear, holds out a directing hand, while Strength holds a large club and a sheaf of arrows. Behind Strength stand (13) "Hoop" (Hope), with an anchor, and (14) "Standvastigheit" (Constancy), with a pillar. On the extreme right stands (12), 'Dankbaarheid' (Gratitude), a woman wearing an imperial crown with the arms of Amsterdam on her breast; beside her stands a stork or heron. Valour, Wisdom, and Strength, as members of the League of Armed Neutrality, say to Endurance "Could we stint our courage, ability, and force whilst we see you attacked by the claws of ambition and love of plunder? No! We will save you and then will Thoughtlessness led by love of rapine probably bring about her own ruin." Gratitude (Amsterdam) says, 'To eternity we will not forget to offer unto you, O Valour, Wisdom, & Strength! our gratitude, if by your united forces we shall triumph over despotic and rapacious ambition." Hope and Constancy say "We will hope and be content, convinced that Justice cannot behold our oppression, without also rescuing the oppressed."

Behind Ambition (right) stand three other figures also personifying England: (8) "Armoede" (Poverty), (6) "Onbedachtzaamheid" (Thoughtlessness), and (7) "Roofzucht" (Rapine). Poverty is a beggar woman with outstretched hand, a sack over her shoulder; a bird sits on her head. Thoughtlessness is a woman poised insecurely on one foot on a mound of sand. Rapine is a figure in Roman armour, a wolf by his (or her) side, a bird of prey perched on his helmet. On the ground at their feet is a torn document inscribed "Traktaat Cromwell" representing the "treaty of Cromwell", 1654, which ended the first Anglo-Dutch war

Above centre, an arm holding a sword emerges from clouds. Suspended from it by a chain are emblems of members of the League of Armed Neutrality: a roundel of Saint George representing Russia, surrounded by three shields, bearing the arms of Denmark, Sweden, and the United Provinces. Above them all is a banderolle bearing the motto "Gewapende neutraliteyt"

Above left, the all-seeing eye of the Deity directs rays upon Justice and the figures numbered 1, 2, 3, 14, 13, 11, 9, and 10. The explanation ends with an appeal to the Deity: "O thou Supreme Being so just, assist with thine awful power those firmly-knit forces of war, may our fortune thus soon attain its height, then shall we with joy waft up to thee frankincense from our altar of thanksgiving."

[The Netherlands] : [publisher not identified], [1780?]

1 print : etching, with letterpress ; platemark 18.8 x 31.2 cm, image and letterpress 28.4 x 31.8 cm

Verklaaring van de zinnebeeldige konstplaat. No. 1. en 2. Verbeeldende de Nederlanden onder het afbeeldsel der Vryheid en Voorzichigheid … Op't blakend dankaltaar 't welriekend wierook toe Below the etching, letterpress in two columns, containing an explanation of the etching

[State without "1780" etched on the plate below the image, right].

F. Muller, De nederlandsche geschiedenis in platen, part 2, Amsterdam: Frederik Muller, 1870, p. 228, no. 4378

British Museum, Catalogue of political and personal satires, no. 5730

Wellcome Collection 2137003i