Allegorisch vignet met bijenkorf 1737

This allegorical vignette was etched by Simon Fokke in 1737. Fokke was a Dutch artist working during the Enlightenment, a period that valued reason, individualism, and challenged traditional authority. This print uses the symbol of the beehive to represent the city of Amsterdam, with industrious bees standing in for its citizens. The figures of Justice and Art flank the beehive, representing the values that were seen to underpin Amsterdam’s prosperity. Note how the image engages in a form of civic myth-making, idealizing the city as a center of commerce, culture, and justice. However, this idealized vision of the city obscures the realities of social inequality and colonial exploitation that also defined Amsterdam at this time. As you consider this image, reflect on the power of symbols to shape our understanding of history and identity.