Verkiezing van Maurits, graaf van Nassau gekozen tot stadhouder van alle opstandige gewesten 1590

Curator: The object we’re looking at is a 1590 engraving, a metal print commemorating "The Election of Maurits, Count of Nassau as Stadtholder of all rebellious regions", housed at the Rijksmuseum. I'm immediately struck by the detailed imagery contained in such a small format, almost like a snapshot of 16th century Dutch politics rendered in miniature. What jumps out to you? Editor: Well, it's unusual for me! It feels almost like propaganda on a coin. I’m curious about what all these symbols mean – I'm guessing they were powerful images at the time. How would you interpret this piece? Curator: Let's consider the process of its making and reception. The work involved skilled metalworkers and engravers, participating in both artistic and industrial economies of the late Renaissance. A materialist approach asks us to think about the cultural context: what sort of viewer would have consumed this object? Why immortalize such political matter on something so ordinary as money? Editor: That's a good point! Given the subject matter, you might think it would be made of silver or gold. Was metal printing common for this type of historical record? Curator: The materiality here speaks to its function as a piece of public discourse. The metal is less valuable, but the symbolic importance far outweighs monetary value. Rebellious regions often produce their own forms of currency to disrupt state apparatus and gain symbolic independence, or declare local cultural heritage. Wouldn't you agree? Editor: That's fascinating, I hadn't thought about the economics. So it is meant to be used, carried around. In this view, the artistic decisions aren’t just about aesthetics but also about distribution and access. Curator: Exactly! The very act of producing and distributing such a piece becomes an assertion of power and self-determination. Editor: I’m seeing this in a completely new light. It's not just a pretty coin, but a political tool embedded in the day-to-day material culture. Thanks!