Mislukte aanslag van de Fransen op Nijmegen 1702

Editor: This intriguing metal piece, "Mislukte aanslag van de Fransen op Nijmegen," or "Failed attack by the French on Nijmegen" created in 1702 by Jan Boskam. It's densely packed with figures and symbols. What initially strikes me is the stark contrast between the allegorical scene on one side and what appears to be a battle scene on the other. What's your read on it? Curator: I see this engraving as a fascinating artifact, less about aesthetics and more about the material conditions and social functions of image-making at the time. Consider the medal's creation. It’s not a painting or sculpture destined for a palace. This is a reproducible object, made from metal – a material with inherent economic and symbolic value. Who would own this? How would they use it? These are key questions. Editor: That’s a good point! So, thinking about the context, was this essentially propaganda, distributed to celebrate a victory and solidify Dutch identity? Curator: Precisely! The metal itself speaks to power and commemorates victory. Each strike of the die, each replicated image, serves to reinforce a particular narrative. And we must not overlook the engraver's labor. They skillfully translated the complexities of war and national pride into a tangible and tradable item. Who was he, how was he paid? Consider that these engravings often acted as early forms of news distribution. Editor: That makes so much sense. I hadn’t thought about the material implying distribution and function so explicitly before! Curator: Consider also, how this very item acted as a form of capital within a social setting. The content supports this understanding of material and its use in promotion. Editor: This perspective shifts the entire viewing experience for me. I am more interested in where such an object ended up and who would receive it, more so than the image portrayed. Curator: Precisely, a true deep dive in historical materialism. Editor: Definitely gave me a new framework to appreciate this metal engraving and similar artworks!