Het vetrek der Veldschutterij van Rotterdam waaronder een groot aantal Vrijwilligers, in het Jaar 1830 1830

Quirijn Maurits Rudolf Ver Huell made this print of the departure of Rotterdam's civic guard and volunteers in 1830. It depicts a moment of national fervor, framed by the city's architecture and maritime activity. This image speaks to the social and political climate of the Netherlands during the Belgian Revolution. In 1830, as Belgium sought independence, the Dutch civic guard mobilized, reflecting both patriotic zeal and the state's reliance on citizen soldiers. Visual codes like the orderly arrangement of boats, the raised flags and the presence of a large crowd onshore, convey a sense of unity and purpose, meant to stir emotions and encourage support for the Dutch cause. To fully understand this work, we need to delve into the archives of military history, the records of Rotterdam’s civic institutions, and the period's printed media. Only then can we appreciate how art like this played a role in shaping public opinion and bolstering national identity during a time of crisis.