Wedstrijd voor arrensleden op de Maas te Rotterdam, 1855 1855 - 1861

Gerardus Johannes Bos created this print, "Race for Sleighs on the Meuse in Rotterdam," in 1855. The most prominent symbols are the flags lining the race track, and the presence of large crowds of spectators. These flags serve not only as markers of the event's location, but also as potent symbols of national and civic pride. Flags throughout history and across cultures are powerful symbols, often associated with rallying points or national identity. Think, for example, of the Roman standards, the vexillum, which had an almost sacred importance for the legions, or the role of flags during the French Revolution. Here, the display of flags contributes to a festive atmosphere, reflecting a collective emotional investment in the event. But these banners also evoke a sense of organized civic space. This use of flags, in a way, mirrors the same deep-seated human impulse for identity and belonging that appears across time. The echoes of cultural memory resonate here, reminding us of our shared histories and primal need to organize ourselves in groups, be they military, religious, or simply festive.