The Battle for the Golden Stave, 1608

The contest for the Golden Stick, 1608. On the beach, a Dutch skipper and a Spaniard struggle for a stick which they both hold with one hand. In the background, six spectators, including Prince Maurice (left) and King Henry IV of France (center). The tug-of-war depicts the struggle between the Republic and Spain for power in the East and West Indies; the golden stick bestows riches. At the top of the image, in a cartouche, a four-line verse in Dutch: 'An old skipper of Monnickendam etc.' In the background on the left, a cross and a hunter shooting at geese, with the inscription: 'nor live the geese'. On the right, a scale from heaven weighing a ship against a female personification (of Liberty?), with the inscription: 'live and let live'. The print was used in a pamphlet against the peace negotiations for the Twelve Years' Truce in 1608.