Banieren van de erewachten van Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, 1862 1843

These are the Banners of the Honor Guards of Zeelandic Flanders, made in 1862 by Jan Frederik Schütz, likely as a lithograph or similar printmaking technique. The production of such an image in the mid-19th century involved several layers of skilled labor. The original design would have been meticulously drawn, then transferred to a printing stone or plate by a trained artisan. The colors would each require a separate run, demanding precision and expertise. Note the different shapes, the varying crests, and the lettering on each. The materiality here is intriguing. The flat, graphic quality contrasts with the implied depth of the heraldic symbols, with their aspirations to high status. It's a reminder that even traditions steeped in history are ultimately brought to us through specific, tangible processes. Paying attention to the materials and making opens up a richer understanding, and challenges the traditional hierarchy between fine art and printed ephemera.