Het brieschend paard, dat op zijn ruiter trots gevoelt, / Bezwijkt niet in den slag, hoe de oorlogsdonder loeit [(...)] 1822 - 1849

Curator: Welcome. We are looking at “Het brieschend paard, dat op zijn ruiter trots gevoelt, / Bezwijkt niet in den slag, hoe de oorlogsdonder loeit [(...)]” which translates to “The snorting horse, which feels proud of its rider, does not falter in battle, no matter how the thunder of war roars." It's an engraving made by I.I. de Lanier sometime between 1822 and 1849. Editor: Whoa, my first thought? Old school trading cards! Like a proto-comic book spread. All these variations of guys on horses – stiff, posed, a bit awkward even, but there's a simple charm to the regimented display, no? Curator: Absolutely. Think of this print within the context of early 19th century nationalism. These images served a didactic function. This artwork normalizes and even glorifies military virtues of duty and valor amidst social upheavals in the Netherlands. Editor: Didactic makes it sound dull! But you are right – propaganda isn't always loud. These figures look awfully…polite for warmongers! Look at the horses, all very obedient, even the ‘snorting’ one looks like it needs a carrot. It is hard to feel threatened by them somehow. Curator: This piece speaks to a specific moment when the Netherlands was re-establishing its identity after French occupation. The attention to detail in the uniforms and the varied poses of the officers reflects the era's preoccupation with military structure and visual representation of power. Note, also, the landscape background, providing a sense of depth, albeit a very schematic one. Editor: Power through repetition. Makes sense! Now, those pale blues and yellows create this strangely antique feel; a memory of military glory, maybe? This is not really about any particular conflict, but rather the *idea* of service and…submission to order? Curator: Precisely. De Lanier crafted a visual language of national pride, carefully disseminated through prints like this. It portrays order and unwavering resolve during turbulent times. It offers an accessible vision of militarism in everyday life through dissemination of these engravings. Editor: Well, seeing it like that, it gets far less comical. Now the repeating men-on-horseback convey how military hierarchy, and maybe even power itself, are created through constant repetition and unyielding conformity! Thanks for helping me see that; an old set of stiff horse-and-rider illustrations holds complex social and political meanings that resonate far beyond their quaint exteriors!