De nieuwe kleèren 1876 - 1890

Curator: This print, dating from between 1876 and 1890, is titled "De nieuwe kleêren" by Albert Quantin. It's an engraving that appears to tell a story. What's your initial reaction? Editor: My first impression is that it feels very didactic. The poses and expressions are so theatrical, it feels like a series of lessons about behavior. There's something inherently performative about these kinds of narrative illustrations and the role they play in shaping societal norms. Curator: Precisely. The work immediately makes me think of the history of illustrated periodicals. How the mass production of printed images democratized access to visual narratives. It surely offers insights into societal expectations conveyed to children. Notice the attention paid to dress; clothing becomes a signifier. Editor: I'm curious about Quantin's intended audience. Considering it's an engraving reproduced as a print, who was consuming such imagery? Was it aimed at families of a particular social stratum or distributed through specific institutional networks? Also, how would you read the narrative being advanced, how do new clothes play a role in the different sections depicted here? Curator: Well, based on the depicted sartorial habits, especially regarding what seems to be new clothes that trigger various situations, it does not seem far fetched that this image has a Bourgeois inclination. If the work speaks on consumption it seems to have been directed at potential consumers. Editor: Let's think more closely about the print's creation and circulation, too. The economics of engraving –the labor involved, the price point of the print, and the means of its distribution– all affected who encountered this "lesson" and in what context. Curator: I see what you mean. Considering all these components surely does offer some insights not available through the singular object but through a more nuanced and grounded look. Editor: Agreed. Context allows a better reading and an alternative interpretation other than a mere depiction of children related issues.