Relief depicting the arms of Felix Meritis
by P. Luypen, terracotta, late 18th century
In 1777 a new society, the Maatschappij van Verdiensten Felix Meritis ('happiness through merit') was founded by the watchmaker Willem Writs of Amsterdam. The society had sections devoted to science, art, literature and commerce. In 1787 Felix Meritis opened its own premises, including a concert hall on Amsterdam's Keizersgracht.