Het opblazen met branders van de schipbrug van de hertog van Parma, 1585 1645 - 1647

Editor: Right, next up, we're looking at a piece called "The Blowing Up with Fire of the Ship Bridge of the Duke of Parma, 1585". It's an engraving, dating from between 1645 and 1647 and attributed to an anonymous artist. Looking at all these tiny details, there's definitely a lot to unpack here. What particularly strikes me is the chaos depicted. There's an explosion, burning ships...what do you see in this work, from a more historical perspective? Curator: Chaos, yes, but carefully constructed chaos, wouldn’t you say? To me, it feels almost like a stage production of warfare. Consider the date: the mid-17th century. Engravings like this served almost as news reports. Think about how the artist is trying to convey a real historical event through this incredibly detailed depiction. But then think again! Can it really capture the visceral experience of battle? I wonder if that disconnect shapes our understanding of conflict then…and now? Editor: I hadn't really thought about it as a kind of historical document before, I was so focused on the visual aspects. Curator: And rightly so! The visual language is fascinating. The artist isn't just recording; they’re also interpreting, dramatizing. Note the meticulous detail in the ships and figures, contrasting with the almost fantastical explosion. It makes me wonder if this wasn't simply about information, but perhaps also about inspiring awe, or even subtly shaping political opinion. Whose side was this engraving *really* on, do you think? Editor: It's definitely given me a lot to think about in terms of how we receive and interpret historical narratives. Curator: Absolutely. It prompts us to question not only what happened, but how, and for what purpose it’s presented to us.