Tweede deel van de catalogus met prenten uit het tweede deel van de serie 1777

This is ‘Tweede deel van de catalogus met prenten uit het tweede deel van de serie’, an inventory made by an anonymous author now held at the Rijksmuseum. This document provides a window into the cultural values of its time, a period in which the meticulous cataloging and classification of artworks reflected a broader impulse to organize and understand the world through a structured, often hierarchical lens. It reveals a society deeply engaged with the collection, study, and preservation of art, activities often linked to wealth, education, and social status. Consider how the act of cataloging itself can shape perceptions of art. By assigning categories and descriptions, the inventory not only preserves information but also influences how viewers understand the artworks. The lack of information around the author invites reflection on the role of the anonymous in shaping cultural narratives, and encourages us to ask: Whose perspectives are privileged and whose are marginalized?