Saucer with an image of the Battle at the Duivendrecht Bridge after 1794

Editor: Here we have a porcelain saucer, made after 1794 by an anonymous artist. It's adorned with a sepia-toned scene: the "Battle at the Duivendrecht Bridge". I’m struck by the way such a violent event is captured on such a delicate, domestic object. What do you see in this piece, considering the symbols embedded within the imagery? Curator: It’s fascinating, isn't it? The placement of battle on an object of peace… what does that tell you? Notice how the scene is framed – almost enshrined – within the gilded oval. This transforms a contemporary event into a historical memento. The smoke billowing from the cannon becomes not just a representation of warfare, but a visual echo of social and political upheaval. How do you think the original owner viewed this battle, represented in such a stylized way? Editor: Perhaps they saw it as a point of pride, a moment of Dutch resistance worthy of immortalizing. But on a plate? That’s quite the statement. It's not exactly subtle, yet it's used for daily life. Curator: Exactly! Consumption, commemoration, and conflict entwined. Think about the colours: the white, gold and sepia. What cultural memories might they be evoking? What meaning is evoked by immortalizing this act upon a mundane plate, the colours providing subtle context. Editor: I guess it connects luxury with patriotism… showing you have the means to display this kind of art but also the social convictions to show a battle? It definitely pushes the boundaries of my perception. Thank you. Curator: My pleasure! May it prompt further examination of such powerful connections between symbols and daily existence.