Kermisprent van de Amsterdamse porders voor het jaar 1849 1849

Dirk Wijbrand Tollenaar created this print in 1849 using etching and possibly some engraving techniques. It connects to the social and cultural context of Amsterdam. The image shows a scene in Amsterdam with 'porders', who were officials responsible for maintaining order and enforcing regulations, carrying out their duties. The print includes an inscription, “A wish for the Porders, to the citizens of the City of Amsterdam,” reflecting the social role of these officials in the community. The cultural references and historical associations in the image indicate a specific time and place. In 1849, Amsterdam, like many European cities, was dealing with the social impact of industrialization, urbanization, and public health challenges such as cholera outbreaks, which are alluded to in the inscription. The print acts as a comment on the social structures of the time, specifically the role of the porders in maintaining order amidst these challenges. To fully understand this work, historians would look at city records and public health documents. This artwork shows that art's meaning is deeply rooted in its social and institutional context.