Uitreiking van het Lombokkruis door Koningin Wilhelmina op het Malieveld in Den Haag, 6 juli 1895 Possibly 1895 - 1897

Editor: This painting, by Mari ten Kate, captures "The Presentation of the Lombok Cross by Queen Wilhelmina on the Malieveld in The Hague, July 6, 1895." It looks like an oil painting. It has a remarkable, staged formality to it, almost theatrical. What do you see in this piece? Curator: What I find compelling is how this image presents a carefully constructed moment of Dutch nationalism and colonial power. Note the staging: Queen Wilhelmina, elevated, distributing honors on what seems to be a decorated stage. Consider the military personnel lined up, receiving their crosses, in contrast to the blurred crowd in the background, a symbol of popular support for the military campaign. Editor: Lombok, that's Indonesia, right? Curator: Precisely. The Lombok Cross was awarded for service in the Dutch colonial war in Lombok. So, this isn’t just a ceremony, but a public performance, a visual representation of Dutch dominance and the celebration of its military achievements in the Dutch East Indies. It portrays not just bravery, but also a specific colonial agenda, presented as a unifying national moment. Editor: So the artist, ten Kate, is essentially producing propaganda here? Curator: That's a very strong statement. But yes, certainly contributing to the narrative the Dutch monarchy wanted to promote. Think about the function of art in public life at this time. Artists were often commissioned to create works that reinforced societal norms and political ideologies. Would you consider the placement in the Rijksmuseum today another form of validation of that time? Editor: It's fascinating to think about how the meaning shifts depending on the context – then, a celebration of colonial power; now, a complicated reflection on that history. Thank you for the insight. Curator: My pleasure. Understanding the socio-political context is key to unlocking the layers within such a work, transforming a seemingly straightforward image into a mirror reflecting a complex history.