Genootschap Pro Patria in de Nieuwe Kerk, 1786 1786 - 1788

Caspar Jacobsz. Philips' print from 1786 depicts the Genootschap Pro Patria in the Nieuwe Kerk, rendered with precise lines in monochromatic tones. The symmetrical composition, anchored by the church's soaring Gothic arches and columns, creates a receding perspective that draws the eye into the crowded scene. This calculated use of space emphasizes the structural grandeur of the church against the detailed assembly of figures. Philips contrasts the rigid, vertical lines of the architecture with the softer, more organic forms of the people. Note how the artist uses linear perspective to direct attention and structure the space, yet this also hints at broader social and political orders. The print can be understood through semiotics, with the architectural setting symbolizing established power, and the assembly suggesting emerging social dynamics. In this way, Philips does more than represent a historical moment, but rather engages with contemporary ideas around citizenship and collective identity.