Gekroond familiewapen van Hogendorp geflankeerd door een soldaat en een roofvogel 1784

Editor: We're looking at Reinier Vinkeles' 1784 engraving, "Crowned coat of arms of Hogendorp flanked by a soldier and a bird of prey," here at the Rijksmuseum. It’s fascinating, all those heraldic symbols… It feels so formal, but in an almost theatrical way, don't you think? How do you interpret the blend of power and pedigree on display? Curator: Theatrical is spot on! Vinkeles wasn't just crafting an image; he was composing a family’s identity. The Hogendorp family, eager perhaps, to stake their claim within the shifting sands of Dutch society at that time. Note the soldier, not just standing guard, but *presenting* the arms – is it protective, aspirational, or perhaps a tad defensive, do you think? Editor: I hadn’t thought about the defensiveness aspect! I guess it's not just about displaying status. What about the eagle— does that just signify power and nobility, or could it be more specific to the Hogendorp family somehow? Curator: The eagle, the crown, the *very* assertive Latin motto... it all layers meaning, doesn't it? Remember, too, that the late 18th century was all about Neoclassicism which, in its own way, sought stability through order. An engraving like this allowed a family to project both rootedness and contemporary relevance. Perhaps Hogendorp was declaring "We are ancient! We are modern! We matter!" Editor: So much more going on than just a fancy family logo. The context makes it click! Curator: Exactly. The family isn't simply *being* powerful; they're performing it for history…for us! Editor: Thanks, I’m looking at this artwork completely differently now. Curator: My pleasure. Now you know to trust your instincts, you spotted the "theatrical" aspect – brilliant observation.