The Execution of King Charles I (Title page: Engelandts Memoriael) 1649

Editor: This is “The Execution of King Charles I,” a print from 1649 by Joost Hartgerts. It's so stark and, well, obviously dramatic, especially with the sharp lines and the sheer number of figures packed into the scene. There’s such a weighty feeling, like history being etched right before my eyes. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Oh, I find it absolutely arresting. Hartgerts wasn't just depicting an execution, but *performing* history. This wasn't just news; it was theater. Think of the sheer audacity—a bookseller in Amsterdam daring to represent such a seismic event! You've got to wonder what that title page might tell us. "Engelandts Memoriael" promises an eternal memory, but what version of that memory is he selling? And how does this contrast or align with England's account of its own story? Editor: That’s interesting – thinking of it as *performing* history rather than simply depicting it. Do you think the Dutch audience at the time would have seen this event as a cautionary tale? Curator: Perhaps! Remember, the Dutch had their own revolution against the Spanish crown not too long before. They might see echoes of their own struggles in this image, a testament to the idea that even kings are accountable. It also makes you wonder if the individuals crammed into the print—are they spectators, or participants? Do they share an emotional intensity or simply fill space in an orderly way? Does Hartgerts try to elicit pity, horror, anger? Editor: So, more than just a historical record, it’s really a commentary with layered meanings. Curator: Exactly! It is history refracted through a distinctly *Dutch* lens, shaped by their own revolutionary spirit and their keen understanding of political theater.