Verbond met de duivel 1778 - 1785

This engraving, "Verbond met de duivel," or "Pact with the Devil," was made by Noach van der Meer II in the late 18th century. This piece encapsulates the social anxieties of the time, reflecting a culture grappling with changing social structures. We see a well-dressed man shaking hands with the devil, implying a contract for earthly gains. The image creates meaning through visual codes – the devil emerging from a dark, fiery cave contrasts with the man in enlightened garb. The Dutch Republic during this period was seeing the rise of mercantilism and early capitalism. This image can be interpreted as a critique of the era's growing materialism and the lengths to which people would go for wealth and status. The Rijksmuseum's curatorial records might reveal the print's original context, suggesting how Dutch society used imagery to negotiate morality during a period of economic change. Research into the artist's biography and the publishing house might offer more insight into the work's political intent. Art like this reminds us that its meaning is rooted in a specific social and institutional context.