Onrust te Arnhem, 1787 1783 - 1795

Editor: This engraving, "Onrust te Arnhem, 1787," by Reinier Vinkeles, somewhere between 1783 and 1795, feels so… frantic. There’s a real sense of unease and immediacy in the scene, with all these figures actively rioting. I’m especially drawn to how the artist managed to convey the chaos and tension of a riot using only the medium of engraving. What story do you think this work is trying to tell? Curator: It certainly has a story to tell! What I see here is Vinkeles capturing a pivotal moment of political and social upheaval. This print, I believe, vividly captures the Patriot unrest that gripped the Netherlands in the late 18th century, especially turbulent in a place like Arnhem. Notice the broken windows, the men wielding weapons - it's all a symbol of the breakdown of order. One has to wonder about the nature of 'order' when beholding this carefully composed yet riotous print... Do you get the sense that they had any sympathies toward the rioters? Editor: That’s fascinating! Now that you mention it, there's a kind of…energy to the figures that almost feels heroic, even though they’re engaging in destructive acts. And to your question about sympathies, the rioters look heroic, rather than the people behind those shattered windows, so maybe? I am interested in your reflection on order... it makes me see something other than lawlessness. I am left wondering what 'order' benefits those inside. What were they protesting, anyway? Curator: Exactly. And the artist, Vinkeles, likely understood the undercurrents. The Patriots were pushing for democratic reforms, challenging the established power of the Stadtholder, a hereditary head of state if you can imagine! Think of it as a proto-revolution bubbling beneath the surface. Do you feel a bit of the 'zeitgeist' oozing off it now? Editor: I totally see that proto-revolution! Knowing the context really does change how I read the image. Curator: Yes! To truly appreciate this work we needed to dive in, swim around, maybe almost drown and find our bearings. But that’s what makes art history, and this piece, so compelling, wouldn't you say? Editor: Absolutely! I'm going to keep a closer eye on those “genre painting” tags now. I think my approach to the survey is going to shift.