Montering van de schutterij van Westzaandam, ca. 1787 1787 - 1790

This watercolor, made around 1787 by an anonymous artist, depicts a member of the Westzaandam civic guard. Though it seems simple, consider the making. The artist expertly applied thin washes of pigment to paper. The consistency of the paint, the pressure of the brush, the absorbency of the surface – all had to be carefully controlled. But the real story here is the making of the uniform. The cut of the coat, the tailoring of the breeches, the shaping of the hat; these all declare wealth and status. Think of the labor involved: the weaver producing the wool, the dyer coloring it, the tailor cutting and sewing it. Each button and braid carefully applied. The sword, too, is a product of skilled metalworking. This image reminds us that even seemingly straightforward depictions can reveal complex social and economic relationships. By attending to the materiality and making of things, we gain a deeper understanding of their cultural significance.