Decoraties 7-12 te Den Haag, 1747 1751

Editor: This is "Decoraties 7-12 te Den Haag, 1747", an engraving from around 1751, currently held at the Rijksmuseum and created by an anonymous artist. It strikes me as incredibly symbolic and packed with meaning... almost like a visual puzzle. What do you make of it? Curator: A puzzle is an excellent way to describe it. This engraving belongs to a tradition of political allegory that was very popular in the 18th century. To truly "read" it, we need to understand the political context of the Dutch Republic at that time. The individual scenes likely represent different virtues or events connected to the House of Orange. Do you notice how many contain latin phrases? Editor: Yes! A lot of text with Latin phrases under each scene. The phrase under the ships says, "Inexpectata Salus" or unexpected safety. What's the significance? Curator: Exactly. "Unexpected safety". It suggests perhaps a surprise victory or rescue at sea linked to the Oranges. Prints like these circulated widely, acting as visual propaganda reinforcing the dynasty’s legitimacy. Consider who would commission and consume such imagery: primarily the educated elite, invested in the political status quo. Notice how many scenes contain the symbol of a crown and a lion? Editor: I see several scenes using a crown and a lion, what about the image of a Unicorn? Curator: The unicorn could be interpreted as representing purity and grace, or perhaps alluding to similar symbology used in other heraldic traditions of the period. It’s a complex interplay of iconography designed to promote specific political narratives. Editor: It’s fascinating to think about art operating so directly as political communication. This really makes you consider the social impact engravings such as this had at the time. I will have to read more on Dutch politics from the mid 1700's! Curator: Absolutely. And that’s the power of studying art within its historical and social context. It gives us a window into the past and helps us understand how art shapes, and is shaped by, the world around it.