The Threatened Swan; Interpreted later as an Allegory on Johan de Witt — Jan Asselijn

Jan Asselijn. Painted c. 1650.

A swan fiercely defends its nest against a dog. In later centuries this scuffle was interpreted as a political allegory: the white swan was thought to symbolize the Dutch statesman Johan de Witt (assassinated in 1672) protecting the country from its enemies. This was the meaning attached to the painting when it became the very first acquisition to enter the Nationale Kunstgalerij (the forerunner of the Rijksmuseum) in 1800.

From the collection of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Currently on display in Gallery of Honour, Main building.

canvas, oil paint (paint) · Original size: 171 × 144 cm

Print: 119 × 100.2 cm, printed on Hahnemühle FineArt archival cotton paper. Museum-grade reproduction quality, true to the colours and detail of the original work.

Frame (optional): a custom-made wooden frame in a matte black finish, cut to the exact dimensions of this print, with an off-white passe-partout mat and protective glazing. Ready to hang.

Source: https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200108146. Image released under CC0 by the Rijksmuseum.