Brussel opnieuw opgebouwd na het Franse bombardement 1696

Curator: This is a fascinating example of historical commemoration, titled "Brussel opnieuw opgebouwd na het Franse bombardement," created by Christian Wermuth in 1696. Editor: It’s strikingly austere, almost unsettling. The material's cool, metallic sheen only amplifies the solemnity, suggesting a weighty historical moment. Curator: Indeed. Wermuth utilizes metal in relief to depict two contrasting scenes on either side of this medal. One side illustrates Brussels after the French bombardment. We can see rows of what appears to be structural ruins rising from an inscription describing this painful moment. Editor: And turning to the reverse, we're met with a phoenix rising from flames. The composition, though static, is incredibly potent with implied movement, reflecting themes of rebirth and resilience in the aftermath of destruction. This resonates profoundly in an era marked by social unrest and frequent warfare. The rising Phoenix here clearly symbolizes a new Brussels, but is that what was actually happening? Was everyone included in this rise? Curator: That is an interesting point. However, by focusing on the phoenix and the inscriptions, we find layers of meaning beyond the literal. The inscription that says, “COMBUSTA INTEGRIOR EXSURGO” –“Burnt, I arise more whole" invites reflection on concepts of destruction, renewal, and the cyclical nature of history itself. Editor: Right, the phoenix has long held diverse, sometimes contradictory, symbolic weight, interpreted across various cultures, gendered analyses, and socio-political contexts. The image clearly operates within an intended framework here but also begs the questions: for whom did it arise anew? Curator: I am also interested in its physical qualities and stylistic components— the artist used the conventions of Baroque art, which is very interesting, and successfully applied it to metal relief. I would say, the medal’s craftsmanship, its deliberate symbolism and its success at fitting a Baroque sensibility within a small, hard metal artifact—all lend themselves to be interesting formal qualities for this sculpture. Editor: Well, considering all aspects of the artwork together is what’s most enriching for me, even when disagreement or tensions arise in interpretation. This work pushes one to reconsider how notions of trauma, community, and identity are memorialized in a time of great conflict. Curator: Yes, an approach combining diverse perspectives surely helps reveal the historical event as much as its artistic rendering, enhancing our comprehension of symbolism within its cultural backdrop.