Opdracht met wapen van Leiden voor wapenkaart van de heren veertigen van de stad Leiden 1758

This print, made by Abraham Delfos, features the coat of arms of Leiden and was dedicated to the city's governors. Its creation speaks to the social and institutional context of 18th-century Dutch governance. The image presents a complex system of civic representation, using heraldry to evoke the authority of Leiden. The lions, keys, and crown are visual codes referencing the city's history, power, and autonomy. The print honors the governors, reinforcing the existing social hierarchy. This was a period in the Netherlands marked by a complex interplay between oligarchical rule and growing calls for broader civic participation. By studying archives of the Leiden city council we can understand this print as a tool for reinforcing the power of the ruling elite. It presents a self-consciously conservative image of social order. Analyzing such imagery allows us to understand the social conditions that shaped artistic production in 18th-century Leiden.