Hier kunt gij Jonge Lien / Veel Adelijke Ruyters sien 1715

Jan Bouman created this print, “Hier kunt gij Jonge Lien / Veel Adelijke Ruyters sien,” using woodcut and letterpress techniques, and it is a window into the culture of the Dutch Republic. This piece presents us with rows of noble riders, each a figure of authority and power. In the context of the Dutch Republic, such displays served to reinforce a social hierarchy in a society undergoing dramatic transformation. Each rider, identified by name, participates in constructing and reinforcing a dominant narrative of leadership and nobility. It’s interesting to consider the emotional impact of images such as these, particularly their influence on the identity of the youth. How did repeated exposure to such displays of hierarchy shape individual and collective identity, and what was the experience of those excluded from this representation of power? This work invites us to reflect on the dynamics of identity, the assertion of social standing, and the emotional complexities of encountering images of power.