De beide Ferdinands tijdens de slag bij Nördlingen; intocht van Ferdinand te Antwerpen in 1635 (nr. 26) 1639 - 1641

Editor: Here we have an engraving by Theodoor van Thulden, dating from 1639 to 1641, titled "De beide Ferdinands tijdens de slag bij Nördlingen; intocht van Ferdinand te Antwerpen in 1635". It depicts, as the title suggests, scenes from the Battle of Nördlingen. Curator: Woah, that title is a mouthful, isn’t it? My first impression is one of chaos, or rather, organized chaos. There’s a real sense of movement in the figures. Is that smoke billowing in the background? It’s kinda overwhelming, visually speaking. Editor: Indeed. Van Thulden has skillfully used line and contrast to convey both the grandeur of the event and the turbulence of battle. Observe how he renders the two Ferdinands, the central figures on horseback, as symbols of authority amid the fray. Curator: Symbols for sure, perched atop those steeds. But for me, the most interesting part is actually those soldiers down below. Van Thulden’s managed to capture something about the experience of war itself, not just the regal presentation of its leaders. I see fear, determination, even some dark humor, etched in those little figures. Editor: You bring up an important point regarding the emotive capabilities within formal artistic languages. Van Thulden’s command of composition allows for such subtleties to come forth, imbuing a sense of narrative tension throughout the frame, and the layering creates visual depth that pulls you into that moment. Curator: Exactly! It is as if I was among the troops witnessing that historical moment and also the celebration. And those dense clusters of bodies against that hazy sky... It almost has a dreamlike, surreal quality. This is some compelling stuff here, it invites introspection. Editor: This print then, successfully merges historical documentation with dramatic flair through well-considered aesthetic construction. Curator: It’s pretty special, I reckon. More than just dates and names – it is feels real.