Allegory on the Situation in the Netherlands, ca. 1619

Political and religious allegory on the situation in the Netherlands around 1619. A monster with seven heads, probably a symbol of the Arminian party, tries to saw through the bundle of arrows of the Republic. The monster is, however, kept in check by Willem Lodewijk, stadtholder of Friesland, and Prince Maurice, both of whom stand on top of the heads of the monster. Around them stand representatives of the seven provinces, seven (counter-Remonstrant) preachers with swords with inscriptions and seven horn blowers. On the left the cow symbolizing the prosperity of the Netherlands. At her head are the coats of arms of three provinces from the Southern Netherlands. On her back stands the personification of Faith. The cow is milked into the bucket Prudence and fed with branches of peace by an angel. Standing next to this is the English King James I, called 'Trusted Counsel'. Lower left two angels with a coat of arms and a cartouche with a group of standing figures.