Aankomst van de Bataven in Nederland, ca. 55-10 v.C. 1725 - 1784

Curator: Look at this engraving, “Aankomst van de Bataven in Nederland, ca. 55-10 v.C.,” dating from sometime between 1725 and 1784 and made by Simon Fokke. What do you think of it? Editor: My first thought? Utterly charming! It feels lighthearted, almost comical, even though it's supposedly a scene of a very historical event. There's something fanciful about the rendering of the figures and the landscape that almost veers into caricature. Curator: Absolutely. What we’re seeing here is Fokke's interpretation, through the lens of the Baroque, of the Batavians arriving in the Netherlands. What strikes me is the clear labour involved in creating this print. Think about the technical skill required to transfer such detail onto a copper plate for engraving. Editor: The level of detail is astounding, considering it's a print. You can almost feel the grit and labor involved. The way the artist rendered light and shadow is superb. Do you think this detailed execution speaks to a kind of commercial imperative, to create something meticulously crafted and thus, valuable? Curator: Definitely. Engravings like this one were often commissioned and sold, sometimes as illustrations for books, and speak volumes about artistic patronage at the time. Prints made history more accessible, visually spreading national narratives to a wider public. And note the materials—copper, ink, paper—all commodities themselves. Editor: So, in a way, this artwork is less about an unbiased record of history, but rather a reflection of its cultural and commercial setting. It’s a production shaped by very human, very material constraints, meant for consumption. A fascinating and clever little creation indeed. Curator: Precisely. We are left thinking about how national identity and history are packaged and disseminated. This detailed creation leaves much to consider!