Helsingborgs Slods og Castels Indtagelse af Kong Christian VI 1720 - 1775

Editor: This etching by Jonas Haas, titled "Helsingborgs Slods og Castels Indtagelse af Kong Christian VI," created sometime between 1720 and 1775, presents a bird's-eye view of a fortified city. What strikes me is the geometric precision of the star-shaped fortress. How do you interpret this work? Curator: Well, on the surface, this seems to be a simple depiction of a historical event. But look closer; see how the lines carve out not just space, but memory? The fortified city, a rigid geometric form, it's not just a place, but a symbol of power, resilience... but also, confinement. How does the surrounding landscape strike you? Editor: It contrasts starkly with the fortress; there are tiny figures in orderly lines but less geometric, more like a natural extension from that star fort. The sea seems almost… active, restless. Curator: Exactly. That sea carries ships, which means trade, yes, but also invasion, change, disruption. Haas seems to be showing us that history isn't just about sieges and fortifications, but about the forces constantly shaping and reshaping a culture. What about the very precise lettering that gives you an impression of Haas and the era? Editor: The labeling anchors the print in the present! As if history were an accumulation of facts…I guess now it also symbolizes how that present turns into history! Curator: Precisely! In its meticulous lines and symbols, Haas gives a perspective on the city, a single moment, and evokes much larger histories. Editor: So, it’s not just a city portrait but an encoded landscape where culture and events create new symbols. I have learned a lot, thank you! Curator: Indeed. Symbols speak volumes.