Tekst voor onder de prent van de lijkstatie van Wolter Jan Gerrit baron Bentinck, 1781 1781

This print by Jacobus Kok depicts the funeral procession of Wolter Jan Gerrit Baron Bentinck in Amsterdam, 1783. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the social rituals surrounding death and mourning in the Dutch Republic during the late 18th century. The image itself, with its detailed description of the procession's participants and route, creates meaning through visual codes of social hierarchy. The inclusion of names and titles emphasizes the importance of status and lineage in Dutch society at the time. Consider the role of institutions like the Admiralty, mentioned in the title, in shaping the lives and identities of individuals like Bentinck. Was this elaborate display a self-conscious assertion of aristocratic power in a society undergoing significant political and economic changes? To understand this better, we could consult genealogical records, period newspapers, and accounts of public ceremonies. These sources would help us to understand the social conditions that shaped the creation and reception of this artwork.