Spotprent op een nieuwe belasting te Amsterdam, 1856 1856

This anonymous print from 1856 Amsterdam presents a complex view on taxation through symbolic representation. The scales of justice, prominently held, are a motif stretching back to antiquity, symbolizing fairness and equilibrium. Yet here, they seem to weigh unevenly, suggesting imbalance and inequity in the tax system. The rooster, a symbol of vigilance and commerce, is juxtaposed with images of trade and town life, embodying the economic lifeblood of Amsterdam. However, the banners with phrases such as 'EENDRACHT MAAKT MACHT' (Unity Makes Might) imply that unity is threatened by this new tax. Such symbols echo through time. In ancient Egypt, scales were used to weigh the heart against the feather of truth, and we see that the scales always represents the search for moral balance. Here, the symbols create a collective anxiety about economic fairness. This visual language invites the viewer to question whether the tax will disrupt the harmony and prosperity of the community.