Artwork

Untitled

Untitled, by Unknown, 1802
Untitled, by Unknown, 1802

Untitled is a drawing by Unknown. It dates from 1802 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. This drawing depicts a scene from the Amsterdam city hall in 1787.

About this work

You see a crowded room in an old Amsterdam city hall. Men in dark coats stand around a table, listening to a paper being read aloud.

This painting shows a real moment: the firing of nine city council members in 1787. It’s like a news photo, but painted by hand. No one knows who made it or what it’s called.

To see more scenes like this, look up the Rijksmuseum.

Overview

This drawing depicts a scene from the Amsterdam city hall in 1787. The artist has captured a moment of significant political tension, though their identity remains unknown.

Subject & Meaning

The scene shows the announcement of a decision to dismiss nine city council members, a pivotal event in Amsterdam's history. The drawing conveys the gravity of the moment, with figures gathered around a table as a document is read aloud.

Technique & Style

The drawing presents a detailed, observational representation of the interior of the city hall, with a focus on the figures and their reactions. The style is characterized by a straightforward, documentary approach.

History & Provenance

The drawing is related to a specific historical event that took place on April 21, 1787. Its current title is 'Untitled', and its creator is unidentified.

Context

The event depicted was part of the political upheavals of the late 18th century. Similar scenes from this period can be found in the collections of institutions like the Rijksmuseum.

Artist & collection

Artist

Unknown

entity whose identity is not known

Rijksmuseum

Museum

Rijksmuseum

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Rijksmuseum open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.