Dedicatie aan het stadsbestuur van Rotterdam 1618

Editor: Here we have "Dedicatie aan het stadsbestuur van Rotterdam," a 1618 drawing in ink on paper by Hans Strick, currently residing in the Rijksmuseum. My initial impression is that the Baroque style calligraphy almost obscures the message with its intricate curves and flourishes. What's your take on this piece? Curator: Ah, yes! I'm so glad you noticed the near-obscurity, as it whispers volumes. Imagine, in 1618, the power, the sheer weight of communicating with Rotterdam's city council! The act itself becomes performative, almost theatrical. Think of each flourish as a bow, a scrape of the foot before power. Doesn't it feel like the artist is tiptoeing through tulips, laden with obligation? The delicate hand lettering, bordering on illegible for our modern eyes, was perhaps then a symbol of elite, almost secretive knowledge. Does that make sense? Editor: It does, particularly when thinking about the accessibility of art and writing at the time. Was this dedication meant for public display or something more private? Curator: I lean towards the latter. This level of detail, of considered, almost performative respect…it feels very intimate. Perhaps presented as a gift, an offering meant for close reading and contemplation by those in power, instead of broad dissemination. Maybe even a display of skill, to showcase what could be achieved under patronage. What do you think that tells us? Editor: Maybe patronage wasn't just about funding, but also about showcasing skill and personal devotion to the patron? It really changes my perception of similar works! Curator: Exactly! These tiny inscriptions give insight on culture. We learn not just about art, but about society, power, and personal expression intertwining across time.