Decoratie in de Beurssteeg, 1795 1795

Noach van der Meer II created this print in 1795. Its structure neatly divides into three distinct horizontal registers, each contributing to the overall narrative. The print is awash with pastel hues, which creates a subdued, almost dreamlike quality. In its formal composition, the upper register displays two cartouches, framing inscriptions in Dutch and French, unified under a central emblem of liberty. Below this, three framed scenes are placed next to each other depicting allegorical representations of revolutionary ideals. Each scene is carefully detailed, inviting closer inspection of its symbolism and context. The lowest register anchors the composition, portraying figures gathering in what is presumably a town square, rendered with a focus on their costumes and interactions. Overall, the print is not merely an aesthetic object but a structured argument, inviting the viewer to decode the layered meanings of the Dutch revolutionary period.