Executies en oproer op de Dam, 1748 1748

Jan Smit’s print captures the tumult of executions and riots on the Dam Square in Amsterdam, 1748. Observe the raised flags amidst the chaos. Flags, throughout history, are potent symbols, uniting individuals under a common banner. In ancient Rome, the eagle standard rallied legions; in medieval Europe, banners emblazoned with heraldic symbols denoted allegiance and power. Here, these flags, though signs of unity, are ironically set against a backdrop of disarray, suggesting a disruption of order and a fracturing of collective identity. This resonates with the deeply ingrained human impulse to both belong and rebel. The Dam Square, typically a site of civic pride and communal activity, is transformed into a stage for unrest, mirroring the shifting and cyclical nature of power, rebellion, and societal transformation.