The Dordrecht Museum is commemorating the 400th anniversary of Johan de Witt’s birth, one of the most important and well-known politicians in Dutch history. In a historical art exhibition featuring works by the most famous artists of the seventeenth century, the museum asks the question: who was Johan de Witt?

In this exhibition, we delve into seventeenth-century painting that sheds new light on the life of Johan de Witt. As the Grand Pensionary of Holland, De Wit made decisions for the Dutch Republic that still resonate today. In art, De Witt was seen as a swan protecting its nest. Now we also get to know him as an epicurean, husband, father, brother, and son. He learns to dance in the French town of Angers, must cope with the loss of his wife and children, and survives an assassination attempt before being lynched in The Hague in 1672.

With paintings from renowned European collections and extensive research into Johan de Witt’s correspondence, the Dordrecht Museum tells a story where art and history intertwine. In this way, a new perspective emerges on remarkable works of art, the colonial past, and the role of women in the Republic.