Eerste algemene vergadering van de Maatschappij tot Nut van 't Algemeen, 1790 1790

Izaak Jansz. de Wit created this print in 1790, depicting the first general meeting of the Society for Public Welfare. The image offers a glimpse into the social and intellectual life of the late 18th century Netherlands, a period marked by Enlightenment ideals and burgeoning civic engagement. Notice the architecture of the Lutheran Church, where men of apparent means gather. The Society, founded just a few years prior, aimed to promote education and social reform, but who had access to these new ideas? De Wit's print invites us to consider the relationship between knowledge, power, and social class. The composition emphasizes the collective, yet the uniformity of the attendees’ attire hints at the subtle ways social norms were reinforced. Consider how this image portrays the ideals of public welfare and participation, and whether this was truly accessible to all. The scene evokes a sense of intellectual excitement, but also prompts us to reflect on the limitations of such progress within its historical context.