Verklaring bij de prent met de Allegorie op de Alliantie met Frankrijk, 1795 1796

Curator: This engraving, made in 1796, is entitled "Verklaring bij de prent met de Allegorie op de Alliantie met Frankrijk, 1795" or, roughly translated, "Explanation of the print with the Allegory of the Alliance with France, 1795." It was designed by G.v.d. Berg and engraved by Jerm. Snock. It depicts the alliance between France and the Batavian Republic. What strikes you first? Editor: It’s the ornate theatricality. The text is draped like a stage curtain, flanked by cherubic figures blowing trumpets. It feels both celebratory and propagandistic. There's also so much… text. Curator: The text is indeed central, acting as both description and justification. The Dutch Golden Age style lends a certain gravitas, despite the cherubs. The entire image becomes an argument visualized, using Neoclassical elements to elevate a specific political moment. The alliance between France and the Batavian Republic, framed as divinely ordained. Editor: It’s fascinating how the engraver utilizes the aged paper aesthetic, reinforcing the idea of history being written. This isn't just about current events; it's about anchoring this alliance within a historical narrative. But what's particularly striking is the decision to use a "personal sketchbook" style with hand-written fonts. How might that have resonated with viewers? Curator: That font usage aimed for accessibility amidst the allegory. A formal announcement but dressed in the familiar guise of personal reflection. It suggests authenticity, a break from traditional proclamations of power. Though allegories require a key to unlock them – these types of political images were made for wide consumption, from personal sketchbooks and amateur art enthusiasts all the way up to connoisseurs of more academic printmaking. Editor: So, it's trying to forge a sense of collective memory around this alliance, a sense of shared national identity being carefully curated and distributed as a kind of cultural software update. What did this Willem van der Jagt seek to accomplish with this image? Curator: Essentially, to convince the Dutch public that this alliance was not just politically expedient but also divinely sanctioned, historically grounded, and, crucially, beneficial for them. It is statecraft conducted through the art of image and persuasive script. It asks us to consider the long game of crafting national mythology. Editor: Precisely. A powerful reminder that images aren't neutral. They are actively shaping our understanding of history and influencing our perceptions of power dynamics even today. Curator: An investment in image, as powerful then as it is now. Thanks for unpacking this artwork's loaded messages with me.