L. Hovy aangevallen op de beurs, 1787 1796 - 1798

Curator: This piece, nestled within the Rijksmuseum's collection, is entitled "L. Hovy aangevallen op de beurs, 1787," or "L. Hovy Attacked on the Exchange, 1787." It's an engraving, made somewhere between 1796 and 1798, after a design by Reinier Vinkeles. Editor: It strikes me immediately as a moment frozen in simmering chaos, rendered with incredibly delicate lines. The tension is palpable despite the distance of time. It's like a street theatre piece, the composition itself seems to be the stage. Curator: That's an interesting take. Considering Vinkeles's historical interests, that checks out. He captured this scene with incredible detail; every face seems to convey a distinct emotion, from anger to fear. And all for a man not wearing orange! The symbolism…it feels incredibly loaded. Editor: Absolutely! Color itself becomes a symbol here, its absence sparking violence. Orange, then, functions as a visible marker of allegiance, and Hovy's lack of it transforms him into a target, ostracized and physically attacked for his perceived disloyalty. And considering the Dutch Golden Age ties to narrative art...wow! The buildings surrounding the brawlers loom tall and indifferent, echoing this societal tension between belonging and exclusion. Curator: The composition is ingenious, really. The eye is drawn into the center where Hovy is, clearly distressed, and being physically set upon. I find it particularly powerful to consider how something as seemingly insignificant as color can incite such fury and exclusion within a society. Editor: I agree entirely! And in some sense, it reflects the very human need for identifiable tribal markers, doesn't it? These symbols can quickly turn into dangerous, volatile elements, almost without reason! What seemed so clear in the minds of the mob might be senseless cruelty once depicted this way. This piece becomes a potent symbol in itself. It has echoes still. Curator: Seeing such a snapshot of political fervor really speaks volumes about how easily the tide of public opinion can turn. It reminds me not to take my own current allegiances so lightly, even if there's not orange involved. Editor: It definitely provides food for thought, even now, and highlights the ways historical events continue to inform and haunt us. Powerful, uncomfortable, and thought-provoking—a good artwork.