Fragmenten schors uit het wrak van de Oost-Indiëvaarder Hollandia before 1748

Curator: Here at the Rijksmuseum, we have something quite unusual. These are fragments of bark recovered from the wreck of the Hollandia, a Dutch East India Company ship, dating from before 1748. Editor: Well, they're certainly... striking. In a somber way. There's a weight to them that transcends just their materiality; it feels like looking at tangible remnants of loss, and failed ambition. The dark coloration and the way the wood has almost folded in on itself, as if collapsing under pressure... Curator: Absolutely. It's important to remember the context. The Hollandia was a vital component in the Dutch mercantile system, representing not just economic power, but the projection of Dutch influence across the globe. These shards are silent witnesses to a major maritime disaster. It sank on its maiden voyage. Editor: So this isn't just shipwreck debris, this is essentially a funerary relic representing an entire world order that came crashing down in a single voyage. I see echoes here of the 'vanitas' tradition in Dutch Golden Age painting. These humble remains remind us of the transience of earthly glory and the power of the sea. Like broken crowns discarded after battle. Curator: Exactly. Dutch society invested heavily in these ventures. Its failure affected national pride. What strikes me is how museums often tell stories of success, power and the wealth of the Golden age, whereas objects like these reflect less heroic narratives. We should confront those difficult historical moments too. Editor: It reminds me that history isn't always written in grand pronouncements or sweeping paintings, it also lies in these fragments of what was broken and discarded. Perhaps these artifacts will bring reflection about maritime expansionism, colonization, ecological harm... There is plenty to think about and to confront when we witness an item like this. Curator: A poignant and powerful connection, indeed. Looking at this artifact will make me remember that progress has a high price to pay and it can leave material that does not shine at all. Editor: And for me, the imagery of broken ships' bark, like discarded husks, triggers the universal recognition of loss and decay, a very intimate human experience.