De Vernietiging van de Oude Constitutie, decoratie op de Botermarkt, 1795 1795

A. Verkerk’s watercolor depicts the monument celebrating ‘The Destruction of the Old Constitution’ in 1795. The scene is dominated by the central motif of a wheel being destroyed, symbolizing the dismantling of the old order. The wheel, an ancient symbol of fortune and fate, takes on a new meaning here. This act of destruction echoes a primal urge to break free from constraints, akin to shattering the chains of oppressive forces. The destruction of the wheel, set against a backdrop of celebrating figures, mirrors similar iconoclasm throughout history where symbols of power are defaced or destroyed to mark a new era. Consider the cyclical nature of history itself, how symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different contexts. This destruction represents the ongoing human drama of liberation and the relentless pursuit of progress, forever etched in the collective memory.