Naamlyst en rangschikking van het vaste corps zee-officieren de Bataafsche Republiek. Zo als hetzelve zich bevond, op de n eersten February 1804. 1804

This is a small book made by Isaac van Cleef, titled "List and arrangement of the permanent corps of naval officers of the Batavian Republic, as it was on the first of February 1804." This official record offers us a glimpse into the structure of power during a tumultuous period in Dutch history. The Batavian Republic, a short-lived state heavily influenced by revolutionary France, was a moment of radical change, upending centuries-old hierarchies. But who were these naval officers? This book, in its neat, bureaucratic fashion, represents not just names but lives, ambitions, and social standing within the Republic. Consider the implications of race, class, and gender during this era. Who had access to these positions of power, and who was excluded? How did these structures reflect the broader societal norms and inequalities of the time? It's a poignant reminder of the human stories often hidden within the formal records of history.