Toegangskaart voor het Koninklijk Museum, 1809-1810 1809 - 1810

This is an admission ticket to the Royal Museum, made around 1809 or 1810 by an anonymous creator. The ticket gives access to the museum between the hours of 2 and 4. This small piece of paper speaks volumes about the cultural values of the time. Museums were relatively new institutions, reflecting a shift in how knowledge and art were perceived and accessed. Who was allowed in, during what hours? Was it diverse? The ticket suggests a controlled and limited access. It hints at the complex relationship between power, knowledge, and privilege. The simple phrase at the bottom, "This ticket is valid for one person only", might seem straightforward. It also emphasizes the individual's experience of art, while quietly reinforcing notions of exclusivity. This ticket serves as a reminder that access to art and culture has often been determined by societal structures. It can be a profoundly personal and political experience.