De Staten-Generaal ondertekenen het Tractaat van Hannover, 1726 1726 - 1727

Curator: Today we are looking at "The States General Signing the Treaty of Hanover, 1726," an engraving made around 1726-1727 by Leonard Schenk, now held at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: The detail is astounding, like peering through a keyhole into another world. The crosshatching creates a compelling range of darks and lights. Curator: Yes, Schenk masterfully employs the engraving technique to depict this pivotal historical moment. The signing of the Treaty was a key event in the shifting European alliances of the 18th century, positioning the Dutch Republic alongside Britain and France. Editor: Considering the context of printmaking during that time, what kind of labor went into producing multiples of an image like this? Each line is so meticulously etched! It speaks volumes about craft and the means of circulating information in that era. Curator: Exactly. Prints like these served a vital public role. They offered visual documentation and propagated specific narratives, influencing public perception of political events. The distribution of these images also played a role in reinforcing and publicizing political ideologies. Editor: It is curious how formal it feels: everyone in fancy garments, surrounding themselves in heavy drapes and grand interior decorations. Does this tell us that only the elite have access to this level of treaty negotiations? Curator: Most likely. The grand setting of course suggests the importance and solemnity of the occasion. It also projects power and authority. These prints allowed wider audiences a peek into the halls of power, shaping ideas about government, policy, and decision making. Editor: It feels weighty somehow—both in terms of the scene depicted and the physical act of creating it. The materiality and density of information present is so tangible! Curator: Indeed. Understanding the context of its creation helps us read into the historical role this image played. Editor: Looking at the materials and craftsmanship deepens my appreciation for this kind of political history. It's all woven into that etched line.