Yzerenweg / Chemin de fer 1856 - 1900

Curator: Ah, "Yzerenweg / Chemin de fer," or "Railway," by Glenisson & Zonen, probably dating from the latter half of the 19th century. This whimsical etching on print is a fascinating peek into a time of great transformation. The colour scheme is bold and makes this etching unique! What’s your initial take? Editor: I’m immediately struck by how diagrammatic it is, almost like a child's drawing illustrating modes of transport, but done with such detail. It is quite quirky, a bit dreamlike. What's the story here? Curator: Yes! Diagrammatic is spot-on. It reminds me of technical illustrations trying to make sense of progress and technological advances... it's like holding a steampunk daydream in your hands. How do these modes of transport connect to each other, visually and conceptually? It seems that it starts from trains to buses, etc... How do the colours guide you? Editor: The colour looks like an overlay, probably added after printing. Also the use of the yellow, purple and green, that also looks like it may have meaning or be used to separate the images from one another. I do see an almost comic strip narrative – train, omnibus, carriage…each a stage in the journey, ending in what looks like a subterranean carriage or train under the hill? It's so weird but wonderful. But what do you mean by "transformation" previously? Curator: It's the railway age exploding, and this work wants to make sense of it all. Transportation and technological improvements transformed societies. I am also in awe with the colour scheme, maybe those had a different cultural meaning. So much is communicated. How would this 'snapshot' look today? Editor: Well, if the colour choice was an indicator to highlight, that's a fair point! Today, maybe we’d see sleek trains alongside electric cars and maybe even... drones! This piece is a great reminder that our present obsessions will look quaint to future generations. Curator: A very good way to connect and engage with a distant artist!