Bal in de Burgerzaal van het Stadhuis van Amsterdam ter ere van het bezoek van Prins Willem V en Wilhelmina van Pruisen, juni 1768 Possibly 1768 - 1772

Reinier Vinkeles captured this ball in the Burgerzaal of Amsterdam's Stadhuis in June 1768 to honor Prince Willem V and Wilhelmina of Prussia with pen and gray ink. This event occurred during a period of political and social tensions in the Dutch Republic. The ruling House of Orange faced increasing challenges to its authority from various political factions. Balls such as this functioned as displays of power. The performance of social rituals reinforced the existing social hierarchy. Consider the labor required to produce the elaborate gowns worn at such an event, alongside the labor required to construct and maintain the Stadthuis. The composition mimics the architecture by creating a sense of grandeur to reflect the supposed stability of the Dutch Republic. Yet, the large crowd hints at a different kind of tension, one that begs the question: who is included and who is excluded from this vision of Dutch society? The personal and political are inseparable here.