De kleederen der Nederlanden verschillen veel in ied'ren stand, / Maar even wel is elk bewoner gehecht aan 't dierbaar vaderland / Les vêtements des pays-Bas varient par leur situation, / Mais cependant chaque habitant révère et chérit la nation 1800 - 1833

This print, made by Philippus Jacobus Brepols, depicts the diverse traditional costumes of the Netherlands. It’s an inventory of the visual codes that communicate social identity and local belonging. Produced during a time of nation-building, the image creates meaning through cultural references to regional identities, historical associations with traditional dress, and the social hierarchies of the time. The inscription emphasizes national unity despite local differences, reflecting a self-consciously progressive, if idealized, view of Dutch society. We might ask, what role did institutions like the printing press play in constructing a shared sense of national identity? What kinds of visual stereotypes might these images perpetuate? What historical and literary sources can we draw upon to understand the nuances of dress and its social meanings in the Netherlands at this time?