Ontwerp voor een lidmaatschapsbewijs van de Zwarte Bende 1884 - 1952

This is Reinier Willem Petrus de Vries’ design for a membership certificate for the ‘Black Brigade’. We don’t know exactly when this piece was made, but De Vries, who lived from 1874 to 1952, lived through an era marked by significant political and social upheaval. The name ‘Black Brigade’ immediately conjures a sense of rebellion or perhaps even a para-military organization. But what did it really mean to be a member of this brigade? The stark, bold lettering suggests a seriousness of purpose. Yet, the handwritten style hints at a personal touch, a camaraderie amongst its members. The design includes the name ‘Pimrand Lanting,’ suggesting a specific individual was to be granted membership. The artwork invites us to consider the role of identity and belonging in shaping social movements. It speaks to the human desire to unite under a common banner, to find strength and purpose in numbers, or to find a community through which personal and political change can be activated.