Volksspelen voor het Paviljoen Welgelegen 1842 - 1887

Carel Christiaan Antony Last created this print called 'Volksspelen voor het Paviljoen Welgelegen.' This lithograph captures a scene of public amusement in the Netherlands. It gives us a peek into the social life of the time, where leisure was becoming more accessible to a wider segment of society, not just the elite. Looking at the crowd, there is a clear social hierarchy, with the well-dressed figures at the front contrasting with the more indistinct crowd behind them. It’s fascinating to consider how class distinctions shaped people’s experiences of public life. What does it mean to come together in a public space, when the space itself is structured by social inequality? The very act of spectating becomes a performance of identity. 'Volksspelen voor het Paviljoen Welgelegen' is not just a picture of people having fun; it's a mirror reflecting the complex interplay of social identities. It invites us to consider who has access to leisure, and how societal structures shape even our moments of play.