Allegorie op de oprichting van Oprechte Vaderlandsche Sociëteiten in 1787 1787

This allegorical print, made in 1787 by an anonymous artist, commemorates the establishment of the Oprechte Vaderlandsche Sociëteiten, or Honest Patriotic Societies. These societies emerged during a period of political and social upheaval in the Netherlands, marked by tensions between the ruling House of Orange and the Patriot movement. The print is rich with symbolism reflecting the complex interplay of identity, loyalty, and national pride. The central column dedicated to "Willem V" is adorned with cherubs, representing divine support for the House of Orange, while the figure of the Dutch Maiden on the left embodies the ideals of liberty. But who is liberty for? The Dutch Maiden and the societies sought to define what it meant to be Dutch at a time of social and political polarization. What does it mean to be a patriot, and who gets to decide? This print invites us to reflect on the competing visions of Dutch identity. It explores how collective memory and political ideology can intertwine to shape a nation’s sense of self.