Vaandel der Utrechtsche Prov. Schutt. 1835 - 1850

Curator: Albertus Verhoesen painted this watercolour between 1835 and 1850. The piece, titled "Vaandel der Utrechtsche Prov. Schutt." which translates to something like "Banner of the Utrecht Provincial Guard," features a proud standard bearer. Editor: It strikes me as wonderfully stiff, formal, and utterly charming in its old-world seriousness! Almost doll-like in its precision, you know? It also really evokes a strong sense of the period, perhaps from how precise and painstaking the application of watercolour is. Curator: Exactly! And consider the flag he bears! That glorious orange hue – probably made with ochre or madder root. Notice the "W" crowned at its centre, a declaration of allegiance, boldly stitched into the fabric. How different is to modern production standards, huh? Editor: Absolutely! And the making process is such a contrast with its purpose of war or battle! Look at the delicacy and intention in crafting a symbol, or even a weapon, the detail applied to a costume—you understand what someone valued from how much labor was put into each artefact. Curator: There’s something endearing in how carefully each button, each stripe on his trousers, is rendered. You feel a real connection with Verhoesen through his devoted artistry! Editor: To add to your point: a connection, yes. Because we can guess that Verhoesen painstakingly sketched the illustration, meticulously choosing pigments to mimic dye. And, that illustration could have been, I guess, part of a study into the military or into class itself, but ultimately, all those hands contribute to meaning in the image that we have now. Curator: Precisely. I think both its historical significance, as well as the story behind its craft, make this more than just an illustration; it’s an experience! It brings us closer to Verhoesen and this time of romantic militarism, don't you think? Editor: Undeniably! You realise the social ties that bind our cultural experiences to a piece of watercolour and paper - or how many people and purposes could be related to what is shown in the piece. So let’s go marvel at a few more layers.