Escape of Hugo de Groot to Gorinchem by ship, 1621

Hugo de Groot escapes in a book chest from Loevestein Castle on 22 March 1621. The maid Els van Houweningen waves a handkerchief from the rowing boat with the book chest to Maria van Reigersberch, left behind in the castle, as a sign that all is going well. Van Reigersberch was married to De Groot and had devised the escape plan with the book chest, while Van Houweningen played an important role in its execution. Design for a print.