Legenda bij het beleg en de verovering van Grave door Willem III, 1674 1674

Curator: This dense etching, entitled "Legenda bij het beleg en de verovering van Grave door Willem III, 1674", from 1674 by Romeyn de Hooghe at the Rijksmuseum, is almost overwhelming at first glance. It’s packed with text. Editor: It is, but an information graphic from the Baroque era. What initially strikes me is how ordered and structured it is, even with so much going on. A very administrative mood, strangely. Curator: De Hooghe was prolific in this era, shaping public perception. He masterfully merges text and imagery here, creating a clear political message. This wasn’t just about documenting history, but about crafting a specific narrative, promoting William III’s military strength and the righteousness of his cause. Editor: Absolutely. How does it portray power structures? The emphasis seems to be on clarity, almost bureaucratic— fitting the rising merchantilist era after the end of the Eighty Years' War. But it's so very dense. Curator: This print underscores how graphic art served propaganda functions. Its textual components narrate the Siege of Grave and reinforce the image of Willem III as a heroic figure. Consider that it presents the viewer a 'key' to the layout of the Siege, in various sections; which can be interpreted on an ideological level. Editor: Interesting, the separation you pointed out and the structured layout highlight power dynamics. God is in the details and its order suggests the conquering success and power that it depicts; something neat and defined despite the "haziness" of War. The work seems made for the wealthy middle class of Amsterdam, and probably sold for a penny at the time. Curator: Looking closer, we note the blend of languages -- an indicator of its time. Also, it is quite impressive technically; one wonders how many prints were pulled! Editor: The scale and precision are truly something to admire. It gives one insight into what was considered a successful and politically significant art back then. Curator: Indeed. This reminds us how visual media was central to the era's politics and society. Editor: And challenges us to rethink how we see information graphics and how political this mode can be even to this day!