Beleg van Zaltbommel, 1599 1780 - 1795

Curator: Let's discuss "Beleg van Zaltbommel, 1599," a drawing made between 1780 and 1795, attributed to Jacobus Buys, here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: My first impression is how incredibly detailed this cityscape is for what looks like a quick sketch. The frenetic energy is palpable. Curator: Indeed. It captures a key moment from the Eighty Years' War. Notice the regimented lines of soldiers contrasted against the smoky chaos engulfing the town itself. It tells a story of a society in upheaval. Editor: Exactly, and that story is told through the labor of war. Look at the figure rolling the barrel – the tangible effort, the weight of it all is very prominent here, which I appreciate much more than the distant spires and commanding figures. Also, notice how many figures were created using quick and cheap lines? Curator: That choice of material aligns with the socio-political context of the late 18th century. Buys lived during a period of significant political instability in the Dutch Republic, which may explain the choice of art as political advocacy. Editor: Also consider pen and ink; these are accessible materials! There’s no obscuring of the making process. The speed and urgency come through so directly, no layer of paint to hide behind. That unpretentious quality really strikes me. Curator: A powerful reminder that even seemingly simple sketches can speak volumes about the social conditions and upheavals that birthed them. Editor: I completely agree. Examining art through a material lens helps to understand how materials were handled and how that labor is expressed.