Gezicht op de Maliebaan in Den Haag 1760

Iven Besoet made this print of the Maliebaan in The Hague around 1760. The image offers us insight into the social life of the Dutch Republic at the time. Here, we see the bourgeois militia, or "schutterij", drilling and parading in the Maliebaan. These civic guards were composed of middle-class citizens, and their drills were both social events and demonstrations of civic pride. The location, a tree-lined avenue, was itself a popular place for social gatherings, and we can see fashionable figures strolling along the boulevard. Besoet's print offers a glimpse into the social rituals and spaces of the Dutch bourgeoisie, emphasizing their role in the civic life. To understand this image further, historians might turn to city records, militia rosters, and fashion plates from the period. These sources would give a better understanding of the social meaning of this parade. Ultimately, the image reminds us that art is deeply embedded in social and institutional contexts.