Staden Vismars belejring og overgivelse til Kong Christian V 1792 - 1796

Editor: Here we have Georg Haas's "Staden Vismars belejring og overgivelse til Kong Christian V," created between 1792 and 1796. It's an engraving, quite detailed even from a distance, depicting a historical scene. I'm struck by how the artist contrasts the chaos of battle in the background with the poised figures on horseback in the foreground. What catches your eye in this work? Curator: Oh, the dance between war and royalty, isn't it something? I find myself pondering the purpose of such a meticulously crafted print. Was it intended as propaganda, a glorious snapshot for King Christian V's mantelpiece? Or perhaps a somber reflection on the spoils and costs of war. The expressions on those riders’ faces—hard to discern, aren’t they?—what do you make of them? Editor: That's a really interesting point. It does seem to be glorifying a historical battle. However, it almost seems to downplay the violence, with the figures in the forefront appearing very serene. Curator: Serene, perhaps, or strategically masked? Think of the era – the grand theatre of courtly life. Every expression, every pose meticulously curated for public consumption. This print, I think, invites us to peel back those layers of performance. What’s bubbling beneath the surface of those carefully controlled countenances? Perhaps pride? Relief? Maybe even a flicker of doubt. Look closely, does the angle of the lead horse seem triumphant or cautious to you? Editor: Cautious. It’s almost as though it is reluctant to walk ahead, sensing trouble in the war torn city of Vismar. It definitely offers a new layer to this landscape work beyond the surface-level celebratory impression. Curator: Indeed, and it's in that tension—between what's explicitly shown and what remains unsaid—that the true power of the print resides. Editor: I see this piece in a new light, especially considering the era and context. Thank you! Curator: My pleasure! History whispers if you listen carefully.