Algemene Wapening, decoratie op het Kadijksplein, 1795 1795

This print shows a symmetrical structure, likely made of brick and stone, created in 1795 to decorate Kadijksplein. At first glance, the symmetrical structure conveys balance and order, yet it also hints at the tensions within Dutch society during this period. The structure is composed of two rounded towers flanking a central archway, forming a visually stable base. Above this, a smaller central tower rises, topped with what appears to be a French flag—a stark symbol of the revolutionary ideals spreading across Europe. The use of classical architectural elements—the arches and the symmetry—are disrupted by this revolutionary flag. The towers are adorned with emblems and flags of the time. The print is not just a depiction of a physical structure but also an attempt to negotiate a new political and cultural identity, using the visual language of architecture and symbolism to express complex societal shifts. The unresolved visual tensions mirror a society in flux, struggling to reconcile its past with an uncertain future.