Officier van de Nationale Garde, 1828 1828

Curator: What a compelling image. This lithograph from 1828 is titled "Officier van de Nationale Garde," and it’s attributed to Jean-Louis Van Hemelryck. My first thought is of civic pride, but tinged with melancholy somehow. What catches your eye initially? Editor: The shoulder pads! Good lord, they're practically shields. This guy is ready for anything, even a polite disagreement. He seems a bit too formal to just be leaning against a wall like that. The second figure faded into the background also conveys melancholy, he looks somewhat excluded or reflective. It has such a specific mood. Curator: The costume is indeed fascinating. In early 19th-century Europe, the National Guard often represented the citizen militia, embodying both revolutionary ideals and the desire for social order. It evokes classical statuary, perhaps a little bombastic even in this understated print, don't you think? Editor: A little! And there’s a sort of faded watercolor feel that softens any potential swagger. Perhaps it’s a romanticized view of military service – bravery packaged for mass consumption, made all the more poignant with that washed out affect. The little tuft on his hat looks incredibly vulnerable. Curator: Vulnerable! An astute reading, given the historical context. Following the Napoleonic era, symbols of authority were undergoing re-evaluation. To represent authority, artists had to imbue images with both power and accessibility. I note too the choice of a lithograph, rather than an engraving, allowing for the softening effects that contribute so powerfully to the print's sentimental, romantic feel. Editor: Precisely! There is this palpable push-and-pull, a certain ambivalence—which resonates deeply. It speaks of conflicted ideals, especially post-revolution. The prints manage to exude that bittersweet awareness. This makes the lithograph unexpectedly affecting and the costume almost feels like a fragile performance of power. I'm left thinking about the weight of those symbols on the man. Curator: Indeed, an image laden with complexities, rendered with extraordinary sensitivity, it stays with you, prompting questions long after you’ve moved on.