Politieke satire 1774 - 1786

Joannes Hulstkamp created this political satire etching in the Netherlands, sometime around the 1780s. It presents a snapshot of social tensions through the lens of everyday life. The image depicts a man attempting to engage a woman in political discussion, waving a pamphlet titled "Politiek Praat Vaar." The woman, however, is uninterested, holding her own pamphlet titled "De Politiek Praat Moer" and wiping away tears. This domestic scene uses contrasting gendered reactions to highlight the political and social climate of the time. Hulstkamp's satire likely reflects the political unrest that defined the Dutch Republic in the late 18th century, with the rise of Patriot movement clashing with the ruling Orangists. The contrasting pamphlets may represent conflicting political views circulating at the time. To fully understand this piece, one must delve into the history of Dutch political movements, the role of print culture, and gendered social norms. Only then can we appreciate Hulstkamp's commentary on the political divides of his era.