Allegorie op de Getrouwheid, 1795 1795

Editor: Here we have Hendrik Roosing's "Allegorie op de Getrouwheid," or "Allegory on Faithfulness," created in 1795. It's an engraving filled with figures, creating quite a dramatic scene. What strikes me is the stark contrast between the figures bathed in light and those in shadow. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a potent visualization of societal power structures couched in the language of Neoclassicism. Let’s consider the historical context: 1795, a time of revolution and upheaval. Faithfulness here isn’t just about personal loyalty, but about allegiance to a new social order. Editor: So the bright figures...they represent the ideal citizens of this new order? Curator: Precisely! The central, well-lit figures embodying reason, virtue, and justice – those are the qualities being elevated. Notice, however, the darker figures to the right: desperation, ruin, vice. They are being actively banished or destroyed by that cupid wielding the sword of Justice. It suggests a violent purification, a cleansing of the old order. Editor: And the broken pillars at the bottom? Do they symbolize the collapse of the old regime? Curator: Exactly. The pillars of aristocracy and tradition are in ruins, making way for the supposed enlightenment ideals, note how it benefits to some at the expense of the others. Even the allegorical lion rests on broken crests and banners, a symbol of how this virtue benefits those now in power. But does this idealized vision reflect reality? What about those displaced and marginalized? Editor: That's a great question, especially in light of what the revolution did to some groups. I am understanding the piece more fully now by observing who is excluded and asking why. Curator: It’s crucial to recognize the silences and erasures inherent in such allegories. It forces us to question whose faithfulness is truly valued and who pays the price.