Book chest of Hugo de Groot

Northern Netherlands, c. 1600–1615, pine, covered in leather

In his fall from grace, Oldenbarnevelt also took down a few friends. The most famous of them was the celebrated jurist Hugo de Groot. He was sentenced to life imprisonment, but managed to escape by hiding in a chest used to bring him books. The chest on display here was long thought to be the one from this famous story.

  • Artwork typesuitcase, boekenkist
  • Object numberNG-KOG-1208
  • Dimensionsheight 73 cm x width 160 cm x depth 75 cm