400 years Johan de Witt Exhibition

The world of Johan de Witt

400 years ago, Johan de Witt saw the light of day. In honor of this event, you can visit the exhibition “The world of Johan de Witt” at the Dordrechts Museum. You will get to know him better through paintings from the 17th century. Not only as a Grand Pensionary, but also as a bon vivant, husband, father, brother and son.

This is how he became a member of the Order of Cheerfulness. Within this order, women are the boss, and to become a member you have to carry out a number of special tasks, such as hopping like a sparrow.

In addition to 17th century works, you can also admire letters from Johan de Witt and contemporary art.

The photo above is called: Wedding portrait of Johan de Witt and Wendela Bicker by artist Natasja Kensmil (2020)
Dordrechts Museum purchased it with the support of the Mondriaan Fund and Business Friends of the Dordrechts Museum, 2021

Johan and Wendela were spouses, depicted in this wedding portrait with family crests around them. The works of Natasja Kensmil refer to the beautiful and dark sides of the 17th century.
In her work she processes the beauty of the portraits from that time combined with the dark side of power, exploitation and slavery.