Keeshondje, draagteken ter ere van Hendrik Danielsz. Hooft, burgemeester van Amsterdam 1788

This small silver badge commemorates Hendrik Danielsz. Hooft, a mayor of Amsterdam. Although the artist is unknown, the object speaks volumes about the civic culture of the Dutch Republic. On one side, we see Hooft himself, bewigged, stately, and properly attired for his office. On the reverse, a keeshond – the breed of dog that was a symbol of the Patriot faction in Dutch politics. The Patriots sought to limit the power of the Stadtholder, the de facto head of state, and to expand civic participation in government. Badges like this one were worn to signal one's political allegiance. The Dutch Republic was a highly literate society, and pamphlets, poems, and prints were important tools in shaping public opinion. Objects like this badge show us how even small-scale, portable images could play a role in the political life of the nation. The Rijksmuseum's collection of historical objects, combined with archival research, helps us understand the visual codes and cultural references of the past.