Dimensions: height 54 cm, width 40 cm
Copyright: Rijks Museum: Open Domain
This newspaper, entitled "De Vrije Socialist", or "The Free Socialist", was printed in the Netherlands on Saturday, November 22, 1919. It bills itself as a Social-Anarchist publication. The image creates meaning through visual and cultural references, such as the portrait of Ferdinand Domela Nieuwenhuis, a well-known Dutch socialist and anti-militarist figure. The paper presents itself as part of a broader tradition of radical thought and activism. By invoking Nieuwenhuis, the paper lays claim to that history and those ideals. The Netherlands in 1919 was experiencing significant social and political upheaval, with various socialist and anarchist movements advocating for radical change. Publications like this played a crucial role in shaping public opinion and mobilizing support for these movements. To fully understand this newspaper and its context, one might consult archives of socialist publications, historical accounts of Dutch social movements, and biographical studies of key figures like Nieuwenhuis. The meaning of art is contingent on social and institutional context.
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