Gezicht op het Oude Stadhuis te Den Haag, 1742 1745 - 1746

Jacob Folkema created this print titled "View of the Old Town Hall in The Hague" in 1742. At this time, the Dutch Republic was a major European power, its cities centers of trade and culture. The town hall, prominently depicted, symbolizes civic pride and governance. Yet, look closely at the figures populating the scene, their activities and attire reflect the social hierarchies of the time. The elite, strolling with leisure, contrast with the vendors and workers who animated the square. How does Folkema's precise rendering of architecture and social life invite us to reflect on the values and power structures embedded in urban spaces? Does this depiction perpetuate traditional representations of class and gender, or does it offer subtle critiques of the social order? Consider how the town hall, in its imposing grandeur, serves as both a symbol of collective identity and a reminder of the authority that shapes daily life.