De Corsicaanse tol, 1814 1814

Curator: The mood strikes me as overtly joyous. This hand-colored print titled "De Corsicaanse tol, 1814", which roughly translates to "The Corsican Cobbler in Full Rout", is from the collection of the Rijksmuseum. A quite unsubtle piece, wouldn't you say? Editor: Absolutely. It's intriguing how much is communicated simply through the material depiction and process. The clear linear etching combined with the hand-applied color lends a somewhat playful quality that sharply contrasts the violence it depicts. Curator: The figures dominate, rendered with a satirical flair; their posture and expressions signify triumphalism and the failure of, presumably, Napoleon, seen above riding away in terror. Notice the precision of the lines composing each character— the emphasis seems directed more towards political messaging than refined aesthetics. Editor: Precisely, and I am especially drawn to how this print functions as a form of propaganda—the repetitive motions involved in creating multiple prints, and its implied wide circulation—it seems less about individual artisanship, and more about mass-producing a specific narrative for broad consumption. Consider how much labour goes into prints such as this. Curator: Indeed. The composition, however chaotic, uses strong diagonal lines and centrally placed figures to drive home its message. What resonates most with me is the piece's balance; light and dark elements work together with colour to intensify the visual and conceptual dynamics at work. Even the diminutive figure of Napoleon can be appreciated in terms of compositional space. Editor: And yet, look closer. Napoleon rides with an inverted imperial crown. He’s essentially running away as he is flayed by what can only be assumed to be representatives of monarchical Europe, now empowered by allied success. We witness power relations materialized into striking graphic form. The print becomes almost a manufacturing line for hate. Curator: A cynical view perhaps, but quite likely not far from the truth of the period! It certainly captures something visceral. Editor: Art rarely floats free from its conditions. This satirical print reveals so much about what’s driving and being made with art materials in early 19th-century Europe. Thanks for the breakdown. Curator: The pleasure was all mine. A look beneath the surface reveals an ever deeper world of visual artistry and composition.