Diverse gelegenheidsgedichten met betrekking tot het geslacht Rendorp c. 18th century

This broadside with letterpress text was made in Amsterdam in 1646 by various makers. It commemorates Pieter Rendorp's election as Burgomaster of Amsterdam. The text is a "diverse gelegenheidsgedichten," or occasional poem, a genre common in the Dutch Golden Age used to mark public events. It references Fabius, likely Quintus Fabius Maximus, a Roman statesman, to associate Rendorp with classical virtues and leadership. Amsterdam, as a powerful center of trade, identified strongly with the Roman Republic. The poem suggests that Rendorp's election brings joy and unity, warding off envy and discord. The printing press allowed for quick dissemination of political messaging. These poems were often commissioned by the subject themselves and distributed to create a desired public image. Examining city archives and the records of printing houses can reveal the complex relationship between political power and public perception in 17th-century Amsterdam. This ephemera reminds us that art is always embedded in social and institutional practices.