De Vernietiging van de Oude Constitutie, decoratie op de Botermarkt, 1795 1795

This undated drawing shows the painted decoration in the Botermarkt in 1795. The anonymous artist used ink and watercolour to represent a building of sorts, displaying neoclassical architectural elements and iconography related to the Batavian Revolution. Visually, the work is structured around a symmetrical arrangement. Side pavilions flank a central structure, creating a balanced, almost ceremonial presence. The muted palette of ochres, reds, and greys evokes a sense of solemnity appropriate for a revolutionary context. The detailed rendering of architectural components—columns, arches, and statues—suggests an effort to legitimize the revolutionary fervor through associations with established classical forms. The work destabilizes traditional notions of power and authority. By invoking classical imagery while celebrating the destruction of the old constitution, the piece engages in a semiotic dance. Here, the visual vocabulary of tradition is employed to advocate for radical change. The subtle use of watercolor washes emphasizes the underlying tensions, making the work not just a historical document but also a complex statement on revolution, representation, and the reinvention of cultural values.