Vrede van Rijswijk 1697

Editor: Here we have "Peace of Rijswijk", a metal print engraving from 1697 by Georg Friedrich Nuernberger. It's fascinating to see historical events portrayed in such a miniature scale, yet the allegory feels quite grand. What strikes you most about this piece? Curator: The choice of medium and its allegorical depictions speak volumes about power and its performative representation. Considering the historical context, the Peace of Rijswijk aimed to end the Nine Years' War. How do you read the symbolism within that light? Editor: I notice two figures clasping hands, while something that looks like weapons lies at their feet. A temple facade appears on the other side. Is this meant to present opposing sides coming together to bury the hatchet and build a lasting symbolic legacy? Curator: Precisely! The handshake symbolizes reconciliation, yet it also obscures power dynamics. Note the almost neoclassical imagery—evoking a sense of established order even as the 'peace' likely masked ongoing tensions. Think about who commissioned and controlled this narrative, and whose stories are excluded. What statement is it making? Editor: So, even though it's about peace, the work still performs power. Who is making peace, and on whose terms? That's a good question that could make us re-evaluate our understanding of its message. Curator: Absolutely. We often think of peace as a neutral ideal, but this print forces us to confront whose vision of peace is being promoted and what sacrifices are demanded by it. Reflecting on that deepens our appreciation for how history and art intertwine to craft meaning, even within something as seemingly simple as a print engraving.