Franse leger ondermijnt de lunet van Saint-Laurent, 13 december 1832 1832 - 1833

Curator: What an atmosphere, wouldn't you agree? Sooty skies, tense figures… it has an epic feel despite being a print. Editor: Indeed. This print, made by Jean Pierre Marie Jazet in 1832 or 33, captures "The French army undermining the lunette of Saint-Laurent, 13 December 1832", as the title suggests. Curator: A powerful image, very much in line with Romantic sensibilities in its glorification, however critical, of conflict and nation. Editor: The Rijksmuseum holds this piece. I’m interested in the decision to commemorate this event in print form. What narratives were being constructed and for whom? Curator: The image highlights technological innovation used in the war, so to that effect, perhaps we can see it as nation-building through celebrating supposed French ingenuity? It also gives visual power to that innovation. Editor: Exactly! Mass-produced prints allowed for the wide dissemination of this narrative. And if we think about art's public role, this artwork is intrinsically tied to image-making and power structures in 19th-century France. I find the almost documentary style very arresting; there's an illusion of neutral witnessing that feels like propaganda in retrospect. Curator: It's fascinating to unpack how art serves or challenges those socio-political forces, especially when we look through a contemporary lens. Editor: Yes, situating this image within those broader narratives is vital. Even the choice of engraving lends itself to perceived accuracy versus the artistry of paint. The artist seems interested in making the depicted activities clear to the viewer, no matter how bloody. Curator: The use of grayscale here also speaks to themes of the visible and invisible. The visible refers to the army members clearly shown. But what’s implied is who's actually behind these acts of terror? Editor: Absolutely. Curator: Seeing artwork within historical context allows viewers to become much more discerning consumers of its messaging, and what cultural attitudes have survived the passage of time. Editor: Examining artworks as socio-historical texts certainly makes for an enriched viewing experience. Thanks for sharing your perspective!