Gezicht op het kasteel en de kerk te Schalkwijk 1774

Curator: This print, dating back to 1774, offers two views of Schalkwijk—a castle and a church—rendered by Hendrik Spilman through etching and engraving. Editor: There’s a certain stoicism to this, a calmness despite the detail crammed into these twin architectural portraits. Curator: Spilman's treatment, notably in the upper castle depiction, is rather structural. Observe the deliberate interplay of line, light and dark areas that define the edifice. It suggests a grounded permanence, and his linear vocabulary is consistent across the entire print. Editor: Interesting how you immediately hone in on line. For me, I keep noticing how the architecture almost emerges out of the surrounding foliage, like the people that are part of its construction, the very reason these building even exist in the first place. Look at the landscape it takes place in and how much raw material was consumed to create it! Curator: Perhaps, but notice that within these visual constructs there are signifiers of power and faith. It has some connection between secular and sacred spaces which offers interesting perspective of their role within society. Editor: The materials certainly tell us about that societal role. Engraving, especially on this scale, meant a wider dissemination, it became available. It’s the architecture made consumable. Its an industrial object reflecting upon more antiquated architectural construction. Curator: I suppose it can’t be denied it has both utility and is reflective of power. But I would rather understand the deliberate and calibrated lines that make it art. A piece that exists within a network of relations which the very structural approach gives away, so, so carefully! Editor: Well, whatever its societal leanings, there’s no question it creates something solid for people who saw or were the very people represented by it, from construction all the way to distribution. Curator: Solid indeed, especially as you said, a commentary for what and who could partake in experiencing and appreciating it, from material existence to careful construction. A powerful piece of spatial analysis and social dynamics.