Prince Diponegoro was the main leader in the Java War (1825-1830). Although he had been promised safe conduct, he was arrested during the peace negotiations. Pieneman painted this picture on commission for De Kock, responsible for this betrayal. The painting therefore does not show the actual treachery, but rather Diponegoro ‘submitting’ to Dutch authority. The self-assured Dutch commanders stand tall on the veranda. The Dutch tricolour flutters at full mast.