Tekstblad gebruikt bij de kaart van Schenckenschans belegerd door Frederik Hendrik, 1635 1635

Editor: We're looking at a broadside, “Tekstblad gebruikt bij de kaart van Schenckenschans belegerd door Frederik Hendrik, 1635,” created in 1635 by Claes Jansz. Visscher. It’s an engraving printed on paper and seems to be mostly text. What do you see when you look at it? Curator: I see a fascinating intersection of war, politics, and public opinion in the Dutch Golden Age. This isn't just a map; it's a carefully constructed piece of propaganda. The text, densely packed, aims to shape how the public understands the siege of Schenkenschans. What strategies are used here to construct and reinforce Dutch national identity? Editor: I see the way the text is laid out, like a newspaper of the time, trying to persuade or inform a public audience. Is there a specific reason this was created as a text sheet and not as an image? Curator: That's perceptive! While images held power, textual narratives offered a veneer of objectivity. Consider the role of literacy and who had access to this information. What class, what gender? How might the biases of the publisher influence the reporting of this military campaign, and the dissemination to its specific social audience? Editor: It is interesting to think about how the information was being shared and understood then. It almost feels like an early form of information control, trying to guide public opinion. Curator: Exactly. The act of creating and distributing such material was incredibly strategic. The very act of documentation is imbued with the publisher's interpretation. Whose voices are elevated, and whose are silenced? Editor: I never thought about propaganda like that, trying to direct narratives and reinforce identity. It’s not just about reporting events; it's about controlling the narrative around them. Thank you for offering me that perspective!