De Magistraat van Antwerpen ontvangt de eerste Venetiaanse gezanten Dardi Bembo en Giovanni Georgi aan de werf, 1324 1858

Editor: This is "The Magistrate of Antwerp Receives the First Venetian Envoys Dardi Bembo and Giovanni Georgi at the Wharf, 1324," an 1858 print. The gray hues make it look quite stately, like an important historical document, almost as if I'm looking back in time myself! What strikes you about it? Curator: Isn’t it interesting how monochrome can lend itself to such grandeur? When I look at this, I feel like I'm peering through a looking glass into the past – a theatrical staging of history, carefully etched. The anonymous artist attempts to bring to life a 1324 diplomatic reception with almost photo-realistic detail. What do you make of all these figures assembled on the wharf? Editor: I notice how everyone seems to be in deep conversation or observation. Do you think the artist has a specific point of view or perspective on this historical encounter? Curator: That's a fabulous question! I think there's an idealisation at play here, an attempt to legitimise a narrative about power, commerce and the exotic Other through crisp lines, sharp angles and detailed imagery. This print is both documentation and art, so is it possible for something to tell a true story and be manipulated or filtered through its creator? Editor: Hmmm, that’s so true. It shows me that every portrayal is a version of someone’s truth. I didn’t notice that at first! Thanks, that was quite insightful.