Militaire wagens 1787 - 1822

Editor: This print from the Rijksmuseum, "Militaire Wagens" by I.I. de Lanier, made sometime between 1787 and 1822, is a really fascinating lineup of horse-drawn carts. I'm struck by its almost diagrammatic style. What do you see in this piece? Curator: What I see here is a visual record of production. It meticulously catalogues the diverse forms of transportation and labor that fueled both military and civilian life. The print is both drawing and engraving, and its existence signals a moment where visual information started to be mechanically reproduced for wider consumption. Editor: So, beyond just depicting carts, it’s about how this image was made and circulated? Curator: Exactly. Think about the social context. Who was commissioning and consuming prints like this? This piece reveals something of 18th/19th century labor practices, class structures, and technological innovation in the graphic arts. These horses and carts signify a huge network of production and distribution. How do these modes of transit challenge distinctions between high art and utilitarian craft? Editor: I see what you mean! It blurs that line by depicting these everyday objects with such care. So, looking closely at the materials – the pen, the paper, the printing press – reveals so much about the broader cultural landscape. I'm glad I noticed how "diagrammatic" this print is at first. I thought I would use a word that is about style, and it actually relates to your perspective of the piece! Curator: And understanding how things were *made* and circulated leads us to insights that purely stylistic analyses might miss. Materiality matters!