Vaandeldrager van het 2 Batt 1 Afd: Prov. Groningsche Schutterij 1835 - 1850

Editor: This is "Vaandeldrager van het 2 Batt 1 Afd: Prov. Groningsche Schutterij," an ink drawing on paper by Albertus Verhoesen, created sometime between 1835 and 1850. The soldier's stiff pose and somewhat simple rendering give the piece a quaint, almost folk-art feel, despite the formality of the subject. What’s your take on it? Curator: Looking at this from a materialist perspective, it's fascinating to consider the physical process of its creation. The artist’s choice of ink and paper, relatively inexpensive and easily accessible materials, suggests something about its intended audience and purpose. Editor: Could you elaborate? Curator: Sure. Instead of oil paint on canvas meant for an aristocratic patron, we see a readily reproducible image likely destined for a different social sphere. Think about it: Who might have commissioned or bought this type of work? Was it the Schutterij themselves, perhaps as a form of accessible propaganda? Editor: That's interesting. So you’re thinking about how the material constraints and choices reveal social intentions. The medium impacts the message. Curator: Precisely! And what labor went into this piece, both the artist and, say, the local paper mill? These factors impact how we understand the drawing, situating it in the network of production and consumption in 19th century Netherlands. How does this shift your perception of the piece? Editor: I hadn't really thought about it that way, but understanding how the piece was made and who it was for definitely deepens my appreciation of it. Thanks for pointing that out! Curator: Of course! It is essential to remember that art is as much about labor, distribution and access as about “genius” and representation.