Handgeschreven inventaris 1637

This is "Handgeschreven inventaris," an undated inventory written by Michiel Hinloopen, likely made during his lifetime between 1619 and 1708. Hinloopen was born into a wealthy family, and as a merchant and councilor in the city of Amsterdam, he would have been a member of the ruling class. The inventory provides an intimate glimpse into the material culture of the Dutch Golden Age, an era marked by burgeoning global trade and colonial expansion. But it’s also a reminder that this wealth was often built on the backs of enslaved peoples. The act of meticulously listing possessions also hints at a desire for control and order, reflecting the values of a society undergoing rapid economic and social change. Looking at this, I wonder about the stories behind these objects, and the people whose labor made them possible. What does it mean to reduce a life or a legacy to a list of possessions?