Wapens van de Zeventien Provinciën before 1612

Editor: So, this is "Wapens van de Zeventien Provinciën," which translates to "Coats of Arms of the Seventeen Provinces." It's attributed to Abraham de Bruyn, created before 1612. It's a print – an engraving – and it depicts a series of heraldic shields. What I find striking is how these symbols, these family crests or regional emblems, are arranged almost like a framework, bordering a central, empty space. How do you interpret the impact of that emptiness combined with the presence of the heraldry? Curator: The power here rests, indeed, in how the symbols are juxtaposed with the void. Each coat of arms acts as a signifier of regional identity and sovereignty within the historical context of the Seventeen Provinces. We see lions repeated, a powerful symbol, referencing courage and nobility but deployed differently across regions, suggesting unity yet distinct identity. What does it signify when those shields encircle emptiness? What psychological weight do you think is assigned to the vacant center? Editor: I suppose it depends on the viewer, and what fills it could be open to speculation: unity, opportunity, absence… The provinces were in flux then, weren’t they, caught between different powers? Curator: Exactly. The blank space could represent both potential and instability, or an aspirational, collective identity still in formation. Think about it as a mirror reflecting the ambitions, anxieties, or aspirations of the provinces themselves, as they existed and as they imagined their future to be. Each crest is a building block of shared history, a testament to memory. Do you think de Bruyn invites contemplation about the cohesive national spirit—or lack thereof? Editor: It does make you wonder what was intended to fill it or if it represents some unresolved tension inherent in the region’s story. It really makes you consider the power and fluidity of these kinds of symbols. Curator: Precisely. And it showcases the continuous evolution of symbolism in claiming and reshaping cultural narratives. Thank you, that helped me to see it with fresh eyes, too.