Zaal van de Raad der Ouden 1795 - 1801

Parfait Augrand created this print called ‘Zaal van de Raad der Ouden’ in the late 18th or early 19th century. The image depicts the assembly hall of the Council of the Ancients during the Batavian Republic, a revolutionary period in Dutch history influenced by the Enlightenment and the French Revolution. This print offers a glimpse into the social and political life of the era, showing men in positions of power within a patriarchal society. The figures around the edge represent different roles or nationalities that were part of this historical moment. The hall itself, with its classical statues, evokes ideals of democracy and reason, yet the absence of women and people of color underscores the limitations of these ideals at the time. Consider how the artist presents this scene. Is it an objective record, or does it subtly critique the power dynamics at play?