Decoratie op het huis van de heer Frans van Lelijveld aan de Nieuwe Rijn te Leiden, 1766 1774 - 1776

This print by Noach van der Meer II was made in 1766 to commemorate decorations on the house of a Mr. Frans van Lelijveld in Leiden. The image is divided into three emblematic scenes, each with a motto in Latin or Dutch relating to the idea of unity. These symbols speak to the political climate of the Dutch Republic in the 18th century. The print shows the allegorical figure of the Dutch Maiden holding a bundle of arrows, which symbolizes strength through unity, referencing the republic's struggle for independence from Spanish rule in the 16th and 17th centuries. We also see a lion, symbol of Dutch power. The Latin inscription ‘Haec Libertatis Ergo’ translates as ‘This for Liberty’. The design reflects a self-conscious effort to reinforce national identity in a period of economic and political challenges. Historical archives and political pamphlets can tell us more about the political and cultural context that shaped this print and its public message.