Dichtkunst en Vrijheid en de rivier de Amstel 1755

Pieter Tanjé created this print, “Poetry and Freedom and the River Amstel,” in 1755. It features allegorical figures representing Amsterdam and its values. The image is filled with classical and patriotic symbolism. Poetry sits enthroned, being crowned with laurels, while Amsterdam, helmeted and bearing the city’s coat of arms, gestures protectively. The river Amstel flows in the background, connecting this scene to the city’s prosperity. We see putti, classical garb and architectural fragments which were visual shorthands for learning and high culture in the 18th century. Created during the Dutch Republic, this print reflects a society that valued both artistic achievement and civic liberties. The imagery evokes a golden age of Dutch painting and commerce. This carefully constructed scene underscores the importance of freedom and artistic expression to Amsterdam’s identity. To better understand this print, we might explore the historical context of the Dutch Republic, its artistic patronage, and the role of civic identity in its cultural production.