Belgische Revolutie 1828 - 1849

Curator: Here we have “Belgische Revolutie,” or "Belgian Revolution", a lithograph print created between 1828 and 1849. Editor: My first impression is of a comic strip, almost. There's a sequence to it. It also feels very graphic and text heavy. What material is it? Curator: This lithograph is a great example of early 19th-century printmaking techniques and its usage as narrative illustration, or nearly an illustrated manuscript to depict historical moments. Editor: Considering its era, the lithographic process is fascinating, enabling the production of multiple impressions on a flat surface, which aided in mass dissemination of nationalist sentiments or ideas. It seems quite detailed given its intended medium and purpose. Curator: I see this print as a piece of proto-political propaganda. This would have allowed the creator, Erve Wijsmuller, to circulate the Dutch version of history to viewers and stoke feelings for or against revolution through both image and associated narrative. Editor: It is like witnessing the dawn of the illustrated press. Considering the historical setting, one has to also appreciate the accessibility that would be offered through distributed textual images as this. Curator: Absolutely, and viewing this lithograph through an intersectional lens lets us think about how visual culture contributes to identity formation and nation-building during periods of upheaval. How were social identities and national loyalties shaped and negotiated during these events? This kind of art provided a vehicle for popular expression. Editor: Indeed, examining the labour that goes into crafting each copy and circulating the print reminds us that production and consumption are inherently social processes. Curator: It’s an exciting piece which merges the artistic medium with revolutionary action. Editor: Indeed. The relationship between production, accessibility, and nationhood displayed by Wijsmuller feels palpable when viewed through this historical artifact.