Titelpagina en vers uit: De Post van den Neder-Rhijn, dl. VI, 1786 1786

This print from 1786, by Cornelis Brouwer, is a title page that allegorically intertwines Dutch identity with notions of freedom. At the center, a female figure, representing freedom, sits enthroned, symbolizing the aspirations of the Dutch Republic. This image presents a narrative deeply rooted in the socio-political tensions of the late 18th century, when the Dutch were caught between aspirations for democratic reforms and the grip of aristocratic rule. To the left, a figure kneels, offering her a document, perhaps signifying the rights of the Batavians, a historical reference to the ancient people associated with the Netherlands. The poem below speaks of freedom triumphing over tyranny, encapsulating the era's yearning for liberation and self-determination. The fallen figure may represent the oppressive forces that 'Freedom' has overcome, while the other women could be allegories of virtues that support Freedom’s reign, like Justice. This print isn't merely decorative, it's a powerful statement, reflecting a society grappling with its identity.