Proclamatie van de provisionele representanten van het volk van Amsterdam, 1795 Possibly 1795

This broadside, printed by Pieter Hendrik Dronsberg in Amsterdam in 1795, announces regulations for celebrating the "Feast of Freedom." Drafted by Gerrit Brender à Brandis, the proclamation reveals the social and political tensions of its time. The text, presented under the ideals of "Freedom, Equality, Brotherhood," outlines how citizens should behave during the festivities, including keeping the streets clean and restricting carriage traffic. These rules reflect the revolutionary spirit of the era, influenced by the French Revolution, and the desire for an orderly transition to a new Batavian Republic. Yet, the proclamation also hints at underlying unease: the need for such strict regulations suggests a society grappling with uncertainty. The language of freedom is thus tempered by the imposition of control, revealing the complex negotiation between revolutionary ideals and the practicalities of governance. It reminds us that even moments of collective joy are often carefully managed and mediated.