Kermisprent van de Amsterdamse nachtwacht voor het jaar 1850 1850

This anonymous print commemorates the Amsterdam Night Watch for September 1850. Swirling around the title we see cherubs, garlands, and vignettes of town life during the carnival. The carnival, or "kermis," is an ancient tradition, a brief period of revelry before the austerity of winter. This liminal time, where rules are suspended, allows for a controlled release of societal tensions. Think of the Roman Saturnalia, where social hierarchies were playfully inverted. The hat, lantern and snake in the center are emblems of civic duty. The presence of the snake is particularly potent. Here, it represents the serpent of temptation subdued by the guard's watch. This motif echoes through centuries, from the Garden of Eden to Saint George slaying the dragon. The image is one of protection and control, a psychological assurance against chaos. This carnival print is more than a fleeting celebration; it's a potent expression of cultural memory.