Bohemen en Hongarije 1772 - 1779

Editor: Right, next up we have "Bohemen en Hongarije," or Bohemia and Hungary, from between 1772 and 1779, by Etienne Claude Voysard. It's an engraving – quite ornate. There’s a lot to take in. It’s like he’s celebrating these places with a decorative flourish. I'm curious though; what do you see here? What story does this ornamentation tell you? Curator: You know, it's interesting, isn’t it? It feels almost like visual heraldry, doesn't it? This was created during a time when national identity was really coalescing, and Voysard uses all these symbolic elements - those crests, the little historical scenes embedded within medallions - almost like weaving a miniature tapestry of Bohemian and Hungarian virtues, aspirations and of course their rulers. What does the inclusion of those particular symbols and historical references suggest to you about what was valued or seen as important back then? Editor: It suggests a pride in lineage, perhaps? Or an assertion of power. Everything is presented with such grandiosity and deliberate placement, nothing seems accidental. I mean the draped fabrics and overflowing symbols give a sense of richness but it could be interpreted in so many ways. Curator: Absolutely, It's a curated grandeur for sure. Consider also how these images might have been received back then versus how we read them now. What aspects, do you think, would have resonated more strongly with a contemporary audience than they do with us today? Editor: That's a great point. They probably understood the symbolism a lot better. I'm walking away from this really thinking about how national identity gets constructed and communicated visually, not just now, but throughout history. Thanks! Curator: And me, too! It’s a reminder that even what appears as decoration is laden with intention and historical weight. A real onion to peel!