Siege of Groningen 1672

About this artwork.

In the entrance of the City Hall there are two paintings that refer to the history of the city. On one side of the hall is the Horse Inspection on the Grote Markt painted by Otto Eerelman (1839 - 1926), on the other side a depiction of the Siege of Groningen in 1672.

The Siege of Groningen 1672 was painted in 1686 by Folkert Bock (1632 - 1696), requested by the city council. Apparently the board felt the need to capture the already fading memory of the so illustrious enduring of the siege for posterity on a large canvas. In 1685 Herman Collenius was asked to paint such piece. It is assumed that the painter has declined the assignment because such work would not suit him. The commission was then given the assignment to painter Folkert Bock, for the price of 200 Carolus guilders.

The painting depicts the siege of the city by the bishop of Münster in the disaster year 1672. Because of the many cannonballs that Bernhard von Galen had fired on the city, he was called ‘Bombing Berend' by the Groningers. Groningen held out and the bishop had to end his siege. On August 28, Bernard and his troops were no longer visible, and on this date we still celebrate the Relief of Groningen in Groningen.

Bock painted the city in the background, in which the always impressive Martinitoren is central. More forward, spread over a vast area, depicted the fortifications, as well as the army units of the enemy and smoking bivouacs. In the foreground a commander on horseback talking to a civilian (possible spy) and in the lower left some women, busy taking care of the wounded. Hindrick Martens supplied the ebony frame for 24 guilders, but this frame is no longer available. The current frame was made by carver Jan de Rijk. In addition to this wooden carving, he also decorated the case of the standing clock and made the benches that were in the former City Hall.

Folkert Bock is known as a painter of equestrian battles and Italian landscapes.

The painting has an inscription in Latin, the translation is as follows:

Groningen, besieged by arms by Maximilian Hendrik, Elector of Cologne and Bernard van Galen, Bishop of Munster with victorious troops and great violence on 9 July 1672. Defended with admirable courage, envied by all allies and exemplary for posterity, but with God's help. Freed on August 17 of the same year after the enemies were defeated and put to flight. The council of Groningen has had this painting made in honor of this glorious memory.

The original:

Groninga a Maximil(iano) Henr(ico) Electore Colon(iensi) et Bernardo a Galen Episcopo Monas(teriensi) victricib(us) copiis magnis viribus et infestis armis IX Julii MDCLXXII obsessa. Virtute admiranda cunctis aemulanda Deo tamen duce federates imitanda posteris defensa. Hostibus caesis et fugatis XVII x) Aug(usti) eiusd(em) anni aestate liberata. In augus(tam) memoriam hanc posteritati tabulam senatus Groninganus.

It should be noted that the word parts placed between brackets do not appear on the canvas, but have been inserted by the translator.

x) It does indeed say August 17; it seems that the text has been updated, possibly during a restoration and the correct date is not displayed.

Facts & Figures.

• Artist(s)
  Folkert Bock

• Year of creation
  1686

• Dimensions (in cm)
  230x200

• Collection
  Town Hall Collection

• Technic
  Oil paint on canvas