Nieuwjaarswens van de Amsterdamse nachtwacht voor het jaar 1835 1834 - 1835

Dirk Wijbrand Tollenaar created this print, “New Year's Wish from the Amsterdam Night Watch for the Year 1835,” using etching, a popular printmaking technique. Consider the historical context: the Netherlands in the early 19th century, still a monarchy finding its footing after French occupation. The print depicts members of the Amsterdam night watch—a kind of citizen militia—in front of city buildings. But this isn't just a depiction of civic duty; it’s a bid for recognition and perhaps even respect. The poem inscribed below the image addresses the "Lords, Merchants, Citizens, and Inhabitants" of Amsterdam, wishing them well for the new year. In a time of social change and economic uncertainty, the night watch sought to align themselves with the interests of the city’s elite. The print becomes a performative gesture, a public display of loyalty and service aimed at reinforcing their position within the social order. It makes me think about who gets remembered in history, and the complex relationship between power, representation, and self-preservation.