Erepoorten VIII-XI te Den Haag, 1747 1766

Editor: This is "Erepoorten VIII-XI te Den Haag, 1747" a print by Albertus Frese from around 1766. They look like architectural drawings, all variations of ceremonial archways. I’m struck by how different they all are despite the same basic structure! What do you see when you look at this print? Curator: It’s like Frese is playing with the very idea of celebration itself, isn’t it? The arches become metaphors. I love how the details shift the mood. Arch VIII, with those jaunty flags, feels like a youthful victory. Arch X, crowned and ornamented, feels… older, heavier with tradition. It almost looks like a gazebo made of lace. Does it speak to you? Editor: I hadn't thought about them telling stories... You're right! VIII feels very celebratory. X feels more about power and permanence. What do the details mean? Like, why put trees on top of some of them? Curator: Those trees! Think of them as emblems, Editor. They hint at life, growth, maybe even a bit of paradise – ideas meant to be associated with the events celebrated beneath the arches. And each tiny portrait head… it adds a personal touch, like a whispered dedication. Aren't these fascinating? They invite you into this past. Editor: It's amazing how much detail and emotion is conveyed with just line and etching. Before, I only saw neat drawings, but now I see gateways into another time. Curator: Exactly. And aren’t those the best kinds of journeys to make through art? We started by observing how each arch design is like its unique doorway – what started as shapes became historical emblems. What a wonderful surprise.