[1] It shows the dead and mutilated bodies of the brothers Johan and Cornelis de Witt hanging upside down on the Groene Zoodje, the place of execution in front of the Gevangenpoort in The Hague.

[2] The two de Witt brothers, opponents of the House of Orange, had dominated Dutch politics for some years, but left the country unprepared for the invasion by Louis XIV of France in 1672, the infamous Rampjaar.

The burgerwacht, the local militia, gathered with a mob, angry at the mild verdict, and both brothers were lynched at the gate of the Gevangenispoort.

The city hall painting in Dordrecht was destroyed at the same time as the mob in The Hague lynched the brothers, such was the state of the country in the rampjaar.

[4] This painting has been considered a highlight of the national history collection since it was bought in 1802 by Alexander Gogel for the high price of nearly 1000 guilders and has been on show ever since, though mostly only displayed in rooms with anatomy scenes out of respect for the effect it may have on casual visitors.