7 True liberty

The Leiden textile entrepreneur Pieter de la Court (1618-1685) is known for his pioneering work in the social sciences in the Netherlands. As a friend of Johan de Witt, he expressed strong republican views, for example in the Historie der Gravelyke Regering in Holland (1662). The emblems on the title page depict true freedom. The bottom one, entitled ‘remain free or die in bondage,’ features a mule, the animal associated with the Jewish tribe of Issachar in the Book of Genesis.

Historie der Gravelike Regeering in Holland
Pieter de la Court
Amsterdam: J.C. van der Graft, 1662
Book, incl: De Oorsprong der Nederlandsche troublen by Viglius Zuichemius ab Ayta, 9 x 14

Location