Titel: Het vijftig-jarig bestaan der Maatschappij Felix Meritis November 1827 1827

This print was made in November 1827 by an anonymous artist. It commemorates the fiftieth anniversary of the Felix Meritis Society, a group founded in Amsterdam during the Enlightenment. The late 18th and early 19th centuries were a time of significant intellectual and social change. Societies like Felix Meritis emerged as spaces where citizens from different backgrounds could gather to discuss science, art, and philosophy. The society’s name translates to "fortunate merit," reflecting the Enlightenment ideals of progress and reason. However, the Enlightenment was not without its contradictions. While it promoted ideals of equality and universal rights, these principles were often not extended to all members of society. Think about how the promise of "fortunate merit" would have resonated differently depending on one's gender, class, or race. This print is a fascinating artifact of a time when new ideas were circulating, and people were imagining what a more enlightened society could look like. It reminds us that even the most progressive movements can be limited by the social and political context in which they emerge.