Plate 37: Triumphal ship with fireworks display to the right; from Guillielmus Becanus's 'Serenissimi Principis Ferdinandi, Hispaniarum Infantis...' 1636

Editor: Here we have Jacob Neeffs' 1636 engraving, "Triumphal ship with fireworks display." The billowing clouds of smoke surrounding the ship, and the sharp lines of the fireworks, create such a dramatic scene! I’m immediately struck by the sheer spectacle of it all. What captures your attention most about this piece? Curator: Well, my eye is drawn to how the chaos and celebratory mood intertwine, almost battling for dominance. The crisp detail of the ship, practically bursting with figures, stands in stark contrast to the ephemeral, almost frantic energy of the fireworks. What’s interesting is thinking about how this was created to document, almost mythologize, a moment of power, a carefully orchestrated display. Doesn’t it remind you of the curated content we’re subjected to on a daily basis, shaping how we view events even today? Editor: That's such an interesting parallel. I hadn't thought about it like a form of propaganda. So, the fireworks aren't just for show; they are communicating something about the subject in the vessel, a message to the public. Curator: Precisely! And Jacob Neeffs, though not a household name today, was instrumental in capturing these Baroque celebrations, moments thick with symbolism. His precision brings such historical importance to it. I wonder what those in the vessel would think of its existence centuries later. Editor: Thinking about its long lifespan as a form of propaganda, it sort of shifts in meaning from a political message to simply a piece of art history for display and research, right? Curator: Absolutely! It really speaks to the nature of art itself: its ability to reflect the context in which it was created and transcend time and space in a way no fleeting firework could. I love those transformations that time grants works like these. Editor: This has been super interesting; now I see so much more to it than just a boat with fireworks!