Verdrinkingsdood van prins Johan Willem Friso, 1711 1853 - 1855

Curator: This is a print titled "Verdrinkingsdood van prins Johan Willem Friso, 1711," or "The Drowning Death of Prince Johan Willem Friso, 1711". It was created anonymously between 1853 and 1855, and it is currently held at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: My immediate impression is of chaos and romantic tragedy. The churn of the sea and the distressed figures convey a sense of overwhelming powerlessness against nature. Curator: Absolutely. The image clearly belongs to the Romantic tradition, evoking themes of grand historical events, here the dramatic demise of a member of the Dutch royal family in the early 18th century. The setting, presumably near Moerdijk as per the inscription, highlights the role of geography in shaping dynastic histories. Editor: Looking closer, the detail in the waves and the rendering of the figures speaks volumes. I am particularly drawn to how the waves and figures interact. We see a distinct labor division reflected here: artisans creating the tools—shipbuilders, horse carriage workers—against nature. It’s almost a case study in the limits of craftsmanship and engineering. Curator: A fascinating point, emphasizing material failure in the face of political significance. The print's widespread availability through the Rijksmuseum archive signifies a conscious effort to democratize access to royal history— to keep such figures visible within national memory and moral consciousness. Editor: And there is something so visceral about its materiality too, think about the original labor needed to make that single copper plate for its printing, not for decorative enjoyment, but for narrative, memory. Its reproducibility granted a function beyond any possible artistic virtue. Curator: Indeed. The print transcends pure artistic expression, serving as a vital historical document and a carrier of national identity. Editor: It also emphasizes the often brutal realities behind the veneer of power and privilege that so easily overshadow its actual making, doesn't it? It is what history and materials, taken together, show.