Veldslag van Chiari, Geleverd op den 1. September 1701 1729

Curator: So, what do you see when you look at "Veldslag van Chiari, Geleverd op den 1. September 1701," a 1729 print by Jan Wandelaar currently housed at the Rijksmuseum? Editor: Well, it seems to depict a historical battle, maybe even a city under siege, captured in that old engraving style. It feels very... removed. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a visual articulation of power dynamics and historical narratives. This isn't just a depiction of a battle; it's a carefully constructed representation designed to convey specific ideological messages about warfare, leadership, and national identity. Consider the baroque style, framing the event. How does this formal element shape our understanding of the battle's context? Editor: It almost glorifies the battle, making it look ornate and important, like it is to be revered rather than a brutal event with real consequences. Curator: Exactly. This glorification connects to a broader historical pattern of using art to legitimize military action and celebrate victors, often masking the lived realities of those most affected by conflict: the soldiers, the civilians, and the land itself. The print's medium and widespread availability meant such messages could easily reach mass audiences at the time. Have you noticed anything else about it? Editor: The text below it. The artwork becomes part of a wider discussion through accessible print. It suggests art acts not as a document but as propaganda. Curator: Precisely! This work prompts us to investigate art's potential to serve particular agendas. So much to think about. Editor: I never considered it that way. I only thought about the art qualities as an aesthetic one. Thank you.