Feestmaal in de Schepenkamer voor Willem V en Wilhelmina van Pruisen, 1768 1772

Simon Fokke created this etching in 1768, depicting a feast in the Schepenkamer for Willem V and Wilhelmina of Prussia. It's a scene brimming with the rigid social codes of the 18th century. Consider the era: the Dutch Republic was navigating complex power dynamics, and the House of Orange sought to maintain its influence. This banquet wasn't just a meal; it was a carefully orchestrated performance of authority and alliance. Every character, from Willem V to the servers, embodies a role defined by class and status. The composition emphasizes the hierarchical structure of the event with its clear distinctions between those who are served and those who serve. Fokke's choice of the etching medium allows for incredible detail, but also subtly reinforces the distance between the viewer and the opulence on display. What does it mean to witness such a display of power, knowing who is excluded? It is an invitation to think about who is invited to the table and who is not.