Illuminatie bij de Oprechte Vaderlandsche Sociëteit te Rotterdam, 1788 1788

Franciscus Sansom created this print in 1788, documenting an illumination event at the Oprechte Vaderlandsche Sociëteit in Rotterdam. This society, with its emphasis on "sincere patriotic unity," operated within a Dutch Republic on the cusp of significant political upheaval. The print captures a moment of collective celebration, but it’s worth considering who is included and who is excluded from this vision of national unity. The figures, dressed in the attire of the Dutch elite, suggest a particular class and gender dynamic at play. Where are the working class, the marginalized, and those who might hold differing views on what constitutes "patriotic unity"? Sansom's print offers a glimpse into the performative aspects of national identity in the late 18th century. The print invites us to consider the complexities inherent in national identity, and it also compels us to remember that history is always a constructed narrative, shaped by those in positions of power.