Wineglass 1790 - 1800

This is a wine glass, made from glass and decorated by David Wolff sometime in the late 18th century. The Rococo style glass is decorated with allegorical figures, putti holding a banner with the words 'Vriendschap, Liefde en Vrede' – 'Friendship, Love and Peace'. This was a period in which the Dutch Republic was in decline, losing out in naval wars with Britain. It was a time of growing social inequality, with the wealth concentrated in the hands of a few merchant families. The ideals of the Enlightenment were spreading, but there was also a strong sense of nostalgia for the Golden Age of the 17th century. By drinking from a glass like this, people were celebrating the bonds of friendship and family, perhaps in response to the political instability of the time. The Dutch middle class used art to define and celebrate their identities. We can learn more about this context by consulting historical documents such as letters, diaries, and newspapers, as well as books on the history of the Netherlands. These can provide a better understanding of the social and cultural forces that shaped the art of this period.