Titelpagina voor: Johannes le Francq van Berkhey, De Politieke Hollandsche Koemarkt, 1787 1787

This is the title page for Johannes le Francq van Berkhey’s, "De Politieke Hollandsche Koemarkt," or, "The Political Dutch Cow Market," created by an anonymous artist in 1787. This etching, now held at the Rijksmuseum, offers a glimpse into the turbulent political landscape of the Dutch Republic during the late 18th century. In the print, we see two figures engaged in what appears to be a transaction involving a cow. This seemingly simple scene is loaded with political symbolism, reflecting the tensions between different factions vying for power in the Netherlands. The cow, a symbol of Dutch prosperity and agricultural wealth, becomes a pawn in the power struggles between the elite and the common people. What is striking is how this image encapsulates the complexities of identity and power during a period of immense social and political upheaval. It invites us to reflect on how economic interests and political maneuvering shape our understanding of nationhood, and who gets to participate in defining it. It serves as a reminder that art can serve as a mirror, reflecting the hopes, fears, and struggles of a society grappling with its own identity.