Gezicht op het interieur van de Royal Exchange te Londen 1745 - 1753

Curator: Ah, here we have a print titled "Gezicht op het interieur van de Royal Exchange te Londen," or "View of the Interior of the Royal Exchange in London." It dates from 1745-1753 and is housed right here in the Rijksmuseum. It was created by Robert Sayer, and he's used a combination of engraving and watercolor. Editor: Wow. The sheer busyness of it! It’s a swarm of tiny, colorful people packed into this grand architectural space. It makes me think of a very elaborate ant farm… but with powdered wigs. What was all this hubbub about? Curator: The Royal Exchange was a pivotal institution in the burgeoning financial world of 18th-century London. It served as a center for trading stocks, commodities, and insurance, effectively shaping early global commerce. Editor: Right. I can imagine all the deals going on there at the time. All this Baroque splendor just feels like putting lipstick on what amounts to rampant financial speculation. Is this print in color originally, or was this added later? It gives a touch of joy. Curator: The watercolor would have been applied by hand after the initial engraving, offering a certain liveliness to the print. These additions add a contemporary element of consumption, enhancing its value and appealing to a diverse market. The Exchange had an undeniable influence on everything that occurred in society. Editor: Thinking about those colors, the artist didn’t go wild, it is pretty toned down so we feel the focus isn't meant to be pulled in different directions by a flashy use of bright pigments, rather stay with the central subject as much as possible. Look at the people depicted! Curator: Absolutely! The depiction of individuals within such a space underscores the increasing prominence of merchant activity in society. What appears to be a genre scene speaks of larger power structures and socio-economic mobility. Editor: It's like stepping back in time and eavesdropping on history itself! I mean you can almost smell the wealth in that throng. Fascinating! Thanks for giving context on such a magnificent view, indeed. Curator: My pleasure. Seeing it contextualized reveals deeper layers that enrich our interpretation.