Titelblad voor: Constitutions-Acte für die Batavische Republik, nebst andere dazu gehörige Stücke wie selbige von ihren Einwohnern am 23 April 1798 angenommen sind 1798

This is Theodoor Koning's undated etching, "Titelblad voor: Constitutions-Acte für die Batavische Republik," now held at the Rijksmuseum. Created during a period of immense political upheaval in the Netherlands, this title page reflects the shifting sands of power and identity in the late 18th century. Three allegorical female figures dominate the scene. A spear-wielding woman stands guard, representing strength and vigilance. Another holds scales, symbolizing justice. The third leans on an altar, watching over a pile of burning objects, a possible reference to sacrifice and purification. These figures, inspired by classical antiquity, project an image of feminine power. The print embodies the complex relationship between revolution, gender, and national identity. As the Batavian Republic sought to forge a new path, this title page offered a vision of a nation built on justice, strength, and sacrifice, all embodied in the female form. The emotional resonance of this image lies in its ability to capture the hopes and anxieties of a nation in transition.