Comité van de Vivres en Noodwendigheden, 1795 1799

This image, made in 1795 by an anonymous artist, depicts the Comité van de Vivres en Noodwendigheden, or the Committee of Provisions and Necessities. The committee was established in the Dutch Republic amidst the political and economic turmoil of the late 18th century. The image offers insights into the social conditions that shaped the political landscape of the time. The figures in the image are rendered with a caricatured style, which may have been used to critique the committee or its members. The details of their clothing and expressions can tell us about the social classes and attitudes prevalent in Dutch society at the time. Understanding the art of this period requires looking into sources, like pamphlets, newspapers, and archival records, that shed light on the debates surrounding the role of the Committee and its impact on Dutch society.