In 't Jaar 1788 c. 1789 - 1810

This small drawing, titled 'In 't Jaar 1788', was made anonymously, using pen in gray ink and gray wash. The year 1788 was marked by political tensions in the Dutch Republic, with conflicts between the Patriots, who sought democratic reforms, and the Orangists, who supported the Stadtholder. In this fraught context, this image captures a stark contrast between the refined, wallpapered interior where men, presumably of high social standing, are meeting, and the enslaved individuals serving them. We see men of European descent seated at a table, while on the right enslaved Black servants are attending to their needs. There is an emotional weight to the piece: the composition directs our gaze to the power dynamics at play, emphasizing the stark inequalities of the time. The drawing doesn't simply maintain traditional representations, it quietly develops alternative narratives. It prompts questions about complicity, privilege, and the human cost of economic and political power during a pivotal moment in Dutch history.