Plundering van het huis van een Fransgezinde visverkoper te Deventer, 1747 1788

Reinier Vinkeles created this print, “Plundering van het huis van een Fransgezinde visverkoper te Deventer, 1747,” likely after the events it depicts. It captures a moment of intense political and social unrest targeting a fishmonger accused of pro-French sentiments. The print is a window into the complex dynamics of national identity and economic rivalry. We see a crowd violently attacking the fishmonger's property, an act fueled by xenophobia and trade disputes. The identities of those involved are particularly telling. The crowd, seemingly composed of ordinary citizens, directs their anger towards someone perceived as "other." The fishmonger, marked as a supporter of France, becomes a target in this charged environment. The artist’s choice to depict this event speaks volumes about the social tensions of the time. It serves as a reminder of how easily communities can turn against one another when economic and political anxieties are exploited. The personal and the political collide, leaving us to reflect on the human cost of intolerance.