Comité voor Buitenlandse Zaken, 1795 1795

James Gillray made this etching entitled ‘Comité voor Buitenlandsche Zaken’ in 1795. It’s a satirical image offering a glimpse into the social and political turbulence of the late 18th century. This scene caricatures a Dutch committee, likely involved in foreign affairs, at a time when the Netherlands was under considerable political stress due to revolutionary movements and French influence. Gillray employs visual codes to mock the committee members, exaggerating their features and postures to suggest incompetence and disarray. The setting, along with the inscription in Dutch, roots the image in a specific historical context, reflecting Anglo-Dutch relations and the broader European political landscape marked by revolution and war. To truly understand Gillray's satire, one might delve into the political pamphlets and news reports of the period, now accessible in online archives. The meaning of this artwork is deeply embedded in its own socio-political context, as it invites us to reflect on the dynamics of power, national identity, and international relations during a period of profound transformation.