Gouden beker met deksel, geschonken aan Cornelis de Witt ter gelegenheid van de Tocht naar Chatham, 1667 1748

Aert Schouman’s watercolor and gouache depicts a golden goblet and lid, commemorating Cornelis de Witt's involvement in the Dutch raid on Medway in 1667. But let's think about how objects function within the theater of power. This work is more than a simple record; it signifies Dutch national pride and commemorates a specific historical and political context. The choice of gold symbolizes wealth, power, and victory and elevates a naval victory to the realm of legend. We can consider the implications of bestowing such an opulent gift on de Witt. How did it reinforce his status? How did it serve as propaganda? How does the act of artistic commemoration shape historical memory? Schouman, born nearly half a century later, wasn't a direct witness to the event. His rendering reflects a constructed narrative of Dutch heroism. Consider the emotional resonance tied to objects of celebration. They serve as more than mere mementos, and embody collective memory and shared identity.