Huwelijksplechtigheid der Batavieren 1784 - 1786

Engelbertus Matthias Engelberts made this wash drawing, "Huwelijksplechtigheid der Batavieren", which translates to "Marriage Ceremony of the Batavians". It's important to understand that the image depicts an historical fantasy. In the 18th-century, there was a cultural interest in rediscovering and inventing a national past. The Batavians, an ancient Germanic tribe, were considered the ancestors of the Dutch. This drawing, therefore, is not an accurate representation of a historical event, but rather an imagined scene. Engelberts constructs a vision of ancient marriage, likely to create a sense of shared identity and pride. It subtly weaves together notions of purity, tradition, and national character. What might these invented traditions tell us about the construction of national identity? The drawing reflects a longing for an idealized past, yet it remains firmly rooted in the social and political context of its time. It prompts us to reflect on the stories we tell ourselves about who we are, and how these narratives shape our present and future.