Feestelijkheden te Rotterdam op de verjaardag van de prins, 1783

Reinier Vinkeles created this engraving titled 'Feestelijkheden te Rotterdam op de verjaardag van de prins’ in 1783. It captures a street celebration in Rotterdam, a city deeply shaped by its maritime culture and mercantile class. At first glance, the lively scene seems like a simple depiction of joy. But look closer – who is included in the revelry, and who is watching from the windows? The celebrations are centered around the figure of the prince, which highlights issues of power, social status, and the complex relationship between the ruling class and the general populace. Notice the figures in the foreground, their movements suggesting spontaneity, but also a certain performative aspect. Do you feel included in this celebration, or are you merely an observer? This artwork encourages us to consider who gets to participate in the narratives of national identity, and who is left on the periphery.