As the name implies, the War of the Spanish Succession was the conflict that arose as a result of the disputed succession to the throne following the death in 1700 of the childless Spanish King Charles II. The claims to the throne made by the French King Louis XIV were violently opposed by a coalition of allies including the Habsburg Empire, England, Prussia and the Republic.

Relatively unknown conflict
Although this conflict is relatively unknown nowadays in the Netherlands, it affected a large part of Europe (and some areas overseas). Major battles were fought, often with a tremendous number of casualties. During the course of this war, the Republic lost its standing as European power at a time when the Dutch States army was at maximum strength. 

From maps to caricatures
Throughout the war, vast amounts of material with the battle as subject appeared in the Republic. The diversity of the material is great. The Atlas Frederik Muller contains a number of bundled works with printed and drawn maps of cities that were engaged in battle. The popular caricatures of the French and their allies are also well represented in the collection.