Rechtvaardigheid, Matigheid en Mercurius bij een gedenkzuil 1741 - 1767

Jacob Folkema created this print, Rechtvaardigheid, Matigheid en Mercurius bij een gedenkzuil, which translates to Justice, Temperance and Mercury at a Memorial Column, in the Netherlands in the 18th century. In the print, Folkema creates meaning by combining classical and contemporary themes. He shows allegorical figures associated with Justice, Temperance, and Commerce standing alongside a memorial column. The column is emblazoned with a coat of arms that could be of a noble family or even a trade organization. To the right of the figures you can see ships at sea, a reference to trade. At the time, the Dutch Republic was a major economic power, and this print could reflect the values that were seen as contributing to its success. A historian looking at this print might want to find out whose coat of arms is represented on the column and what role they played in Dutch society.