Twee voorstellingen van de maaltijd en de bezichtiging van antiquiteiten in het stadhuis van Vlissingen, 1751 1753

Jan Caspar Philips created this print in 1751, showing two scenes within the Vlissingen Town Hall. The upper image depicts a formal meal, while the lower captures a viewing of antiquities. Made in the Dutch Republic, this work offers a window into the social rituals of the 18th century. The scenes highlight civic life and the importance of communal gatherings for meals and cultural displays. The antiquities themselves, prominently displayed, speak to a society deeply invested in its historical narrative and self-image. The town hall serves as a stage for the performance of civic identity. Philips' print not only documents these events, but also subtly reinforces the values of the Dutch elite. To understand the print more fully, one might delve into local archives or period literature to explore the intricacies of Dutch governance and the societal meanings attached to such civic rituals.