On the third Monday of August the Hartjesdag (Hunting Day) was celebrated in some Amsterdam neighbourhoods. There are many different explanations for the origins and meaning of this festival. The day had a carnival atmosphere with people in fancy dress and much eating and drinking. The festivities often got out of hand and the authorities had to intervene to restore order. This painting shows how Hartjesdag was celebrated around 1900 on Zeedijk and Warmoesstraat.