Optocht met de prijs voor het ridderspel van de Confrerie van St. Joris te Middelburg, ca. 1785-1786. 1785 - 1786

This etching, made around 1785 by Daniël Veelwaard, shows the procession with the prize for the knightly game of the St. Joris Guild in Middelburg. Guilds like this one played an important social role in the Dutch Republic. This image encapsulates the blending of tradition and civic life in the 18th-century Netherlands. We see a procession, likely a ceremonial event, occurring within the confines of the guild's courtyard. The buildings are a sober classical style, reflecting the values of the Dutch enlightenment. The emphasis on orderly arrangement suggests a society that values hierarchy and established norms. It offers a glimpse into the ways social organizations sought to maintain cultural continuity. To fully understand the social dynamics at play here, scholars might consult municipal archives, guild records, and period publications, as these all offer insight into the cultural values and institutional frameworks of the Dutch Republic. This image highlights that art is always contingent on a specific social and institutional context.