Vaandeldrager 1743 - 1772

Curator: Here we have "Vaandeldrager," or "Standard Bearer," a drawing attributed to Pieter Louw. It’s believed to have been created sometime between 1743 and 1772. Editor: The man's gaze really holds you. He looks out at us, past us, almost with amusement in his eyes. It’s all charcoal greys and shadows; he emerges dramatically from a darkened background. Curator: Louw worked in a tradition of portraiture common in the 18th century Netherlands, reflecting a cultural emphasis on civic virtue and individual character, all while echoing elements of the Baroque, if ever so slightly. Editor: You see that theatrical draping, right? The way the light hits the folds gives it movement and weight, as if he's about to step right out of the frame and challenge you! Curator: Notice too the details in the rendering of his clothes and accoutrements. Louw's meticulous detail shows a real investment in portraying the gentleman's status and role within the military or civic structure. It served as visual propaganda almost. Editor: Almost... I keep thinking, though, about whose stories *don't* get told in such depictions. We’re only seeing one slice of that time, aren't we? This "Standard Bearer," framed by shadow and power, but at the expense of narratives pushed to the margins? What does the flag truly represent to all who lived under it? Curator: Well, those questions are valid, and it is critical that we consider context. This work speaks volumes about societal values that were championed and memorialized at the time. Its presence in the Rijksmuseum today serves as a reminder of our collective past. Editor: It is more than a reminder. The artwork, with its stark light and deep shadows, it prompts crucial questions about our current values and who wields power in defining the stories that survive, doesn’t it?