De Mobile Schuttery van Utrecht door de Stedelyke Regering dankbaar ontvangen. op den 19 Augustus 1834 1834

Reinier Craeyvanger made this print in 1834, showing the Utrecht civic guard, or schutterij, being thanked by the city government. The image allows us to consider the public role of art in the Netherlands at this time. Schutterijen were voluntary militias tasked with maintaining order and defending cities. They were composed of middle-class citizens and had a strong social function, providing a sense of community and civic identity. The imagery in this print highlights the civic pride associated with these groups. The print is both a record and a celebration of an event, reinforcing the importance of civic duty and social cohesion. To understand the deeper context, one might research the history of schutterijen in the Netherlands, their social composition, and their role in maintaining order. Further research into the history of Utrecht in the 1830s would reveal the nuances of local politics and social dynamics. This print embodies the meaning of art as something contingent on social and institutional context.