Studie voor het vertrek van Willem V naar Engeland, 18 januari 1795 1795

Editor: So, this is "Studie voor het vertrek van Willem V naar Engeland, 18 januari 1795," a drawing in pencil by Dirk Langendijk, currently housed in the Rijksmuseum. I'm really struck by the almost fragile quality of the lines, given the subject matter, a moment of historical upheaval. What jumps out to you when you see this piece? Curator: I’m drawn to the starkness of the material itself – just pencil on paper. Consider the social context: Langendijk created this study on the cusp of massive societal change, a revolution. Pencil, readily available, allowed for a quick record, a democratization of image making contrasting with the elite it depicts. Editor: So, the medium itself reflects the shift in power? Curator: Precisely. Think about the accessibility of pencil compared to the cost and skill needed for painting. This shift parallels the social changes of the era. Langendijk’s choice emphasizes the immediacy of the historical moment and perhaps even questions the value of traditional, opulent portraiture. What does it tell us that a sketch immortalizes such a key moment in history, and what are the politics inherent to its production, its display? Editor: It really makes you think about who gets to represent history, and with what means. I initially saw only the delicacy, but I realize now the choice of material is incredibly deliberate, tied to both practicality and political messaging. Curator: Absolutely, considering artistic processes and social contexts changes everything. Editor: Definitely food for thought. Thank you!