Slagorde bij Ivry (Dreux), 1590 1590 - 1612

Curator: So, here we have “Slagorde bij Ivry (Dreux), 1590,” an engraving attributed to Frans Hogenberg, likely created between 1590 and 1612. It’s currently held in the Rijksmuseum. What’s your immediate reaction to it? Editor: Chaos, but organized chaos, like a meticulously arranged battlefield diorama. It’s incredibly detailed, yet feels strangely detached. I'm also drawn in by the monochromatic style -- everything's rendered with these intricate lines. Curator: Indeed, the linear precision is remarkable. As a print, it allowed for wide dissemination of a particular perspective on the Battle of Ivry. Prints like this played a crucial role in shaping public opinion and solidifying historical narratives during the period. Editor: Interesting, like an early form of photojournalism, but definitely with a political spin. You get this bird's eye view, as though you're somehow above the conflict looking down dispassionately. Except I'm *not* feeling dispassionate. There’s a sort of grim poetry in that stark arrangement of human conflict. Curator: Exactly. What’s interesting, too, is the influence of Mannerism, apparent in the slightly stylized landscape. It isn’t just about pure representation; there’s a certain elegance imposed upon the brutality. Editor: Elegance and brutality… a classic combo, wouldn’t you say? Makes you think about power structures. Each block is a unit, impersonal until you remember those are actual people. It makes you ponder their purpose. Pawns or people? Both maybe? Curator: Precisely. And the visual language would have resonated strongly with contemporaries, many of whom lived through seemingly endless religious wars. Hogenberg gives us a glimpse into how historical events became part of public consciousness, meticulously crafted to shape particular interpretations. Editor: It is crazy how much detail they put into everything to capture it. Looking at the way everything is rendered here, this would have taken time to etch. I look at the piece with fresh appreciation for the handiwork behind the printmaking. Makes one respect these creators even more. It’s a powerful statement that comes through time. Curator: Definitely, art can transcend so much even today. Editor: For sure.