Bouwen in de rivier Possibly 1677 - 1696

Curator: Look at the striking detail in this baroque print, “Bouwen in de rivier,” likely created between 1677 and 1696 by Giovanni Battista Falda. The title translates to "Building in the River," and the work depicts methods of… well, building in the river! It’s currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. Editor: My first impression is one of almost scientific detachment. The crisp lines of the etching are fascinating in themselves; it almost feels like looking at an architectural schematic or early engineering blueprint. There is a calculated coldness. Curator: Precisely! Falda has laid bare the technological advancements of hydraulic engineering. However, we must not strip this of its context. The baroque period was about power, spectacle, and human ingenuity in service to often monarchical and imperial projects. This isn't merely about functionality; it's about human ambition altering natural environments. Editor: You're drawn to the sociopolitical ramifications; I'm drawn to the geometry, the clean intersection of planes, and the meticulous depiction of materials. Consider the density of lines in the structure labeled 'B' versus the stark emptiness above the water. This juxtaposition creates a fascinating textural dynamic. The print highlights line above all other forms. Curator: I find myself thinking about those literally and figuratively ‘below the surface’—the laborers who executed these massive feats. Their contributions, as so often is the case, are unseen but vital to the ambitions visualized in the print. Who bore the true brunt of these endeavors? Editor: Again, a reading deeply embedded in the social history surrounding its making. For me, though, the linear patterns create the kind of tension that generates a compelling artwork. Curator: And it is within that tension of aesthetic wonder and socio-political awareness where the complete story unfolds, doesn't it? Thank you for helping provide balance here. Editor: Agreed. It's precisely that combination that elevates “Bouwen in de rivier” beyond just a historical record into a truly thought-provoking artwork. The composition lingers in my mind in surprising ways.