Waar 't hart voor Land en Koning slaat, / Is ieder burger steeds soldaat. / Waar elk voor 't vaderland wil strijden, / Ziet zich ook elk voor 't jok bevrijden 1832 - 1850

Curator: Looking at this fascinating print from the Rijksmuseum, produced sometime between 1832 and 1850 by Theodorus Johannes Wijnhoven-Hendriksen, I’m immediately struck by its graphic quality. The high contrast of the woodcut medium creates a bold visual statement. Editor: Indeed, and those stark contrasts really bring out the narrative element. Considering its creation in the mid-19th century Netherlands, this piece is teeming with the nascent spirit of Dutch nationalism. The title itself, roughly translating to "Where the heart beats for Land and King, every citizen is always a soldier," highlights the complex relationship between national identity, military service, and the desire for liberation. It hints at a social contract, suggesting freedom is earned through patriotism. Curator: That's a good point. I also see the interesting choices in composition, with each image in its own distinct field and limited number of soldiers. Each component displays the fundamental lines and essential details. Editor: True, but notice how repetitive those images are. That reflects the prevailing social norms of the time: expectations, power structures and a clear definition of citizenry as innately interwoven with patriotism and militarism. What kind of stories might this work suggest to someone who feels distanced or excluded from that definition of national identity? It prompts you to think about who's included and who's not in the narrative of the fatherland. Curator: Interesting thoughts, I must admit, that's not where my mind immediately gravitated. The overall impact gives an intentional, graphically rigid, didactic overview in an impressive way for a print from this period. Editor: For me, seeing a work so unapologetically rooted in a specific moment allows us to examine the long shadows it casts, the alternative narratives it silences, and how we might write those back into the conversation. It compels us to interrogate what it truly means for a citizen’s heart to "beat" for their land and, more importantly, at what cost?