Ridder steekt een beer neer 1802 - 1809

Daniël Veelwaard created this print, "Knight Stabbing a Bear", sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century, using etching, a printmaking technique. It shows us a knight on horseback, sword raised, about to strike a bear standing upright. In the background, a figure seems to flee the scene. Below the image, musical notation and lyrics read: "No! I don't want love anymore". Its cultural context lies in the tradition of allegorical prints and popular songs. Prints like this circulated widely in the Netherlands, offering visual commentary on social and political issues, often with layers of hidden meaning. The juxtaposition of the knight, a symbol of authority, and the bear, a symbol of untamed nature, prompts questions. Is this about the imposition of order on the natural world? Or perhaps a satire of aristocratic power? The Rijksmuseum's collection provides invaluable resources for researching the artist, the printmaking techniques, and the cultural context in which it was made, helping us understand the print's intended audience and its place within broader social debates.