Lidmaatschapsbewijs van schutterij te Rotterdam, 1795 1795

This is a membership certificate of the civic guard in Rotterdam made in 1795. The engraving presents a tableau of figures and symbols that invite a semiotic reading. The symmetrical arrangement of figures flanking a central plinth gives the image a formal, almost classical structure. But this balance is destabilized by the asymmetry within the groups and the gaze of the figures. The radiating lines emanating from behind suggest enlightenment ideals, while the eye within a triangle, combined with the plinth could signal masonic undertones. The lion bearing a shield, pierced by a staff surmounted with a hat, appears to be a symbol of resistance. The blank space in the center becomes a focal point, challenging viewers to project their own meanings onto the ensemble. The formal composition establishes a framework, but the details invite ongoing interpretation. The work remains a dynamic site of cultural and philosophical reflection.