Het Volksbewind Gevestigd, decoratie op het Amstelveld, 1795 1795

This print shows the decorations at the Amstelveld in 1795, celebrating the establishment of the Batavian Republic, made by an anonymous artist. Prints like this one were relatively inexpensive to produce, and provided a way to circulate imagery of important events quickly and widely. The stark lines of the etching, created by coating a metal plate with wax, scratching an image into it, and then submerging the plate in acid, gives the scene a sense of clarity and order. Note the flags on the column, and the symmetrical arrangement of the arches surrounding it. These details suggest a society founded on reason and civic virtue. Consider the labor involved in producing such prints. From the mining of metals to the skilled work of the printmaker, it reflects a complex web of economic activity. In this way, even a seemingly simple image like this offers a glimpse into the material conditions of its time. By attending to the processes of making, we gain a richer understanding of its historical significance.