Meiboom geplant door de Haagse Schutterij, 1759 1759

Caspar Jacobsz. Philips's etching "Meiboom geplant door de Haagse Schutterij, 1759" (1759) documents the planting of a Maypole by the Hague militia in 1759. The print is divided into eight scenes depicting the event, framed by elaborate rococo ornamentation. Each scene shows different stages of the planting, including the arrival of the Maypole, its erection, and the celebration. The image captures the tradition of the "Meiboom," a Dutch custom signifying spring and fertility. The engraving is an important historical document that offers a glimpse into 18th-century Dutch social customs and celebrations.