Vroomheid van burgemeester Boom te Amsterdam, 1587 1823

Jacob Ernst Marcus made this print, "Piety of Mayor Boom in Amsterdam, 1587," sometime in the early 19th century. It depicts a scene of civic virtue, but what does that mean and for whom? The print refers to a specific historical moment in Amsterdam, a city then consolidating its power and wealth through trade. Mayor Boom's "piety" signifies a commitment to the city's values—values entwined with its economic and political ambitions. But these values were not universally shared. Close attention to costume, setting, and expression reveals the social codes at play, suggesting who was included in this vision of civic virtue and who was excluded. To truly understand this print, we must delve into the archives, exploring Amsterdam's complex social fabric, its institutions, and the dynamics of power that shaped its identity. It is a task of historical interpretation, always mindful of the social conditions that give meaning to art.