Titelpagina van: R.M. van Goens, Politiek vertoog over het waar sistema van de stad van Amsterdam, 1781 1781

This is the title page of R.M. van Goens’s "Politiek vertoog over het waar sistema van de stad van Amsterdam," published in 1781 by an anonymous artist. This etching is more than a mere announcement; it's a window into the complex political landscape of the Dutch Republic during a time of great upheaval. The print engages with Amsterdam's political system, against the backdrop of the late 18th century, riddled with internal conflict and external pressures from the American Revolution. Amsterdam's identity was deeply entwined with its economic power, yet this period saw increasing tensions between its mercantile interests and the broader political aims of the Republic. Notice how the portrait of R.M. van Goens is framed, almost enshrined. This choice reflects the era's emphasis on individual intellect and leadership, but also raises questions about whose voices are amplified in historical narratives. How did Goens’s own position within the Dutch societal structure shape his perspective and influence the representation of Amsterdam’s political system? This title page urges us to consider the multifaceted layers of power, identity, and representation during this pivotal era.