De verkeerde nieuwe weereld 1787 - 1822

This satirical print, "De verkeerde nieuwe weereld," by Jan Hendrik de Lange, presents us with a world turned upside down through simple imagery. The dominant symbol here is the horse-drawn carriage, an emblem of status and progress. Yet, in its dual portrayal, it reveals a deeper social commentary. The upper scene depicts leisurely riding, a symbol of carefree enjoyment and perhaps reckless abandon. Below, the coach is elaborate, a vehicle for something more sinister. The image of the carriage itself, as a vehicle of both pleasure and peril, echoes through art history, appearing in emblems of fortune and disaster. The carriage is a symbol that reflects not just movement but also the journey of life itself. One recalls the many vanitas paintings where the horse-drawn carriage becomes a symbol of fleeting moments. Here, the contrast between leisure and danger elicits a psychological tension, urging viewers to confront the duality of progress and the potential for ruin. This cyclical progression of symbols highlights our collective anxieties and hopes, continuously resurfacing throughout history.