Beschouwt, met diepen ernst de ontzettende tafereelen; / Beschouwt de rampen van het oude Nederland [(...)] 1800 - 1833

Curator: Here we have a fascinating piece titled "Beschouwt, met diepen ernst de ontzettende tafereelen; / Beschouwt de rampen van het oude Nederland [(...)]", dating from 1800 to 1833. It’s a print combining watercolor and etching by Jacobs en Meijers and it resides here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: Oh, it’s like a series of little illustrated tragedies! The colours are quite stark and simple, which gives it a strange immediacy, almost like a cartoon strip chronicling disasters. Are we talking floods? Shipwrecks? Curator: Exactly! Each little scene depicts moments of hardship and resilience during times of floods and battles. The text accompanying each miniature image underlines these events. The recurring symbolism of the ships for instance, representing Dutch commerce and strength, constantly battered, really speaks to national anxieties of the time. Editor: Yes! I see how those vibrant yellows and blues – a strangely optimistic palette, given the subject matter – could speak to hope amidst the chaos, like a stubborn refusal to be defeated. There is definitely something deeply emotive in these miniature narratives! Curator: And it goes deeper, that’s very astute! You have to understand how deeply intertwined water is within Dutch identity and that can range from an opponent and source of fear to a great opportunity that can lift a nation’s wealth and fortune. It is more than just a history painting; it’s an exploration of national character reflected in natural events. Editor: It reminds me how a single event can take on so many different meanings within a collective memory. Each viewer probably connects to these scenes through personal memories passed down over the ages and what constitutes “Dutch-ness” in their mind’s eye. A national saga painted with a child’s paint box! Curator: In the end, this small print captures an era defined by both incredible adversity and an unwavering sense of national identity. Editor: A powerful, poignant historical testament painted like a comic strip of sorrow.