The Legation from the Tsar of Muscovy on its Way to a Meeting of the States-General in The Hague

Diplomatic stationary, second half 17th century. Special envelopes were used for diplomatic correspondence. The velvet envelope contained a letter (dated 20 September 1686) from the emperor of Morocco to the States General concerning deliveries of weapons from the Republic. The silk envelope contained a letter sent in 1668 by the Dutch representative in Constantinople (Istanbul), Justinus Coljer, to the States General. The painting above shows a Russian diplomatic delegation at the Binnenhof in The Hague bearing a sealed envelope. On loan from Algemeen Rijksarchief, Den Haag.