Curatorial notes
Anthony Stechwey made this ‘Wapentrofee’ as the frontispiece to an atlas of military maneuvers in 1773. The print shows an arrangement of weapons surrounding a crowned crest, beneath which the atlas’s title and publication details are displayed. This image is a fascinating document of the Dutch Republic during a period of relative peace and stability. The crest and surrounding armaments visually promote the power of the Dutch state under its hereditary Stadtholder, or head of state. The emphasis on infantry maneuvers reflects an evolving military science, but also the ongoing need to defend national borders and colonial possessions. This print also speaks to the institutional history of publishing. We see the names of the publisher, J. Richard, and the bookseller, H.C. Gutteling, reminding us of the economic structures that supported the production and distribution of knowledge. Art historians often delve into archival records, such as publisher’s inventories and book reviews, to reconstruct the social and economic context in which prints like this one circulated.
