Gedicht op het zwaard waarmee Johan van Oldenbarnevelt in 1619 zou zijn onthoofd Possibly 1744 - 1748

Editor: We're looking at a drawing titled "Poem on the sword with which Johan van Oldenbarnevelt was allegedly beheaded," possibly created between 1744 and 1748 by Jacobus van der Streng. It's ink on paper and immediately strikes me as a potent mix of violence and reflection, given the subject and the delicate calligraphy. What elements stand out to you, as you examine it? Curator: Initially, the interplay between script and the absent image captivates. Observe how the artist utilizes calligraphy not just as text, but as a structural element to convey meaning. The density and flow of the ink create a visual weight mirroring the gravity of the poem's subject. How does the materiality of ink and paper itself inform our understanding of this event? Editor: I hadn't considered that. The fragility of paper contrasts sharply with the violent act it describes. So the deliberate choices regarding line thickness or the flourishes... they contribute beyond simply conveying words. Curator: Precisely. The formal elements reinforce the symbolic content. The evenness of the lettering speaks to controlled grief, whilst its antiquated nature creates a distance. Is this script a deliberate aesthetic choice, reflecting on that past style? Editor: Maybe. I wonder, in terms of its function as a "poem," whether it served a public or private function, especially given its creation over a century after the execution. Curator: Indeed. This delayed reflection invites an examination into memory and meaning-making, focusing purely on artistic components. The poem, captured using calligraphy, acts as both a medium and the object through the expressive strokes. Editor: It’s fascinating how analyzing the materials and artistic form opens up an entire layer of interpretation, beyond simply the historical context of the poem's creation! Curator: Yes, a dialogue between form and concept! It’s a piece that exemplifies how material choices reflect a wider view.