Nationaal Monument voor 1813, onthuld 1869 1869

This is a design drawing for the Nationaal Monument voor 1813, revealed in 1869. It was made anonymously, using pencil, pen and brush in grey and green. The design reflects a moment in the history of monument making, when the aesthetic of neoclassicism was adapted to nationalistic purposes. Stone and bronze became a vehicle for the celebration of rulers and nations. Consider for a moment the labour involved in producing such a monument. From the quarrying of stone, to its carving and polishing, and the casting of bronze ornamentation, to its assembly on a public square. The monument would have involved a wide range of specialists, all coming together under the direction of a master sculptor, to produce an object meant to inspire awe and instill patriotic feeling. It's important to remember, when looking at a work like this, that the message it conveys is dependent on a whole network of making. The final form may present an image of strength and unity, but the monument’s creation relied on many hands, each with its own story to tell.