Kalligrafie van het lied 'Wien Neêrlands Bloed' bij het vijfentwintigjarige regeringsjubileum van koning Willem I, 1838 1838

Editor: Here we have a print from 1838 by C. Magnenat, titled "Calligraphy of the song 'Wien Neêrlands Bloed'". It’s an engraving, and what immediately strikes me is how decorative and patriotic it feels, almost overwhelmingly so. It looks like a family tree but with rulers. How do you interpret this piece, beyond the obvious nationalism? Curator: Oh, it's dripping with it, isn't it? It’s fascinating, because it's a beautiful artifact celebrating Willem I's 25th jubilee, but that song... "Whose blood flows through the veins, free and unfettered"? It's essentially a call for national unity, but with an exclusionary tone, isn't it? See the almost radiating font, like sun rays; it’s so loud, how can one hear themselves think? What sort of imagery does the decorative lettering evoke for you? Editor: I hadn’t thought about the exclusionary aspect so directly, but I see what you mean. The lettering does give an impression of being almost shouted at you rather than spoken! All those swirls and flourishes. It makes me think of those super elaborate illuminated manuscripts, almost sacred texts. But, obviously in this case, for the State. Curator: Exactly. It’s as if the state itself is declaring its legitimacy through scripture! It’s Romanticism and nationalism holding hands. Magnenat is using calligraphy to amplify propaganda through this song’s message in a way that manuscript culture sanctifies texts. So this work leaves me feeling both a bit impressed by its execution and a bit wary of its message. Editor: That’s a great insight. I'll definitely consider the context of propaganda and cultural symbolism when I look at pieces like this from now on. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure!