De nachtwacht 1797

Lambertus Antonius Claessens created this line drawing titled 'De nachtwacht.' The artist who lived through the Batavian Revolution, the Napoleonic era, and the establishment of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, shows a keen interest in civic guard portraits. These portraits became popular in the Dutch Golden Age to represent the city's collective identity. But here, the bare outlines provide a fascinating insight into civic identity. What does it mean to see a community’s protectors sketched but not shaded? The incompleteness could suggest instability. The use of line drawing, rather than painting, sets it apart from traditional representations. The emotional impact is more subtle, inviting reflection on the ideals and realities of civic duty. This is more than just an image of a civic guard, it’s an evocation of a society grappling with its identity. The artist seems to suggest that identity and community are always a work in progress.