Decoratie in de Beurssteeg, 1795 1795

This anonymous engraving, “Decoratie in de Beurssteeg, 1795” from the Rijksmuseum, depicts a decorative piece in the Beurssteeg, Amsterdam. The design features two framed panels with allegorical scenes and a central inscription that reads “DOOD of VRY” (Death or Liberty). The imagery, likely referencing the Batavian Revolution of 1795, reflects the revolutionary ideals of freedom and liberty. The engraving is small but detailed, capturing the intricacies of the ornamentation and the symbolic message it conveys. The text below the design, “van het revolutie plyn to zien” (from the revolution's plan to see), further underscores the historical context of this decorative piece.