Wilt kuijken (Original Title) 1645

Editor: This ink and pen drawing, "Wilt Kuijken," by Jan Jansz. van de Velde III, was created around 1645. It's quite the fantastical creature—part bird, part human, with what looks like a sword tucked into its turban. I'm struck by how strange and slightly grotesque it is. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a powerful commentary on the social and material conditions that fostered such imagery. Look at the grotesque figure itself – the elaborate costume, the bird-like features combined with human posture. This isn’t just playful imagination; it's a deliberate construction. Think about the paper, ink, and the very act of drawing. These materials were commodities, signs of wealth, and the artistic labor required skilled training. Editor: So, you're saying the materials themselves contribute to the meaning? Curator: Absolutely! The use of ink, a readily available and easily transportable material, allowed for the wider circulation of these images. Consider where such imagery might circulate. Think of print shops, private collections, or even ephemeral uses. How would its presence challenge established artistic conventions of the time? Editor: That makes sense. The choice of something so easily reproduced does suggest a broader reach, perhaps to challenge established social norms or expectations around more traditional art forms. Curator: Exactly. It bypasses traditional patrons and enters the realm of the popular. Do you think that knowing that Jan Jansz. van de Velde III came from a family of artists helps us understand better how he accessed and consumed artistic production and knowledge at that time? Editor: I hadn't considered that familial aspect of artistic training. Viewing the drawing not just as a product of individual skill, but also the materials employed in production as reflecting access to resources and possibly social commentary does expand my perspective. Curator: Precisely. By considering the materiality and modes of production, we uncover how artistic choices challenge established ideas about art. It provokes us to redefine artistic practices beyond traditional categories and hierarchies. Editor: I'll certainly view these early modern drawings differently now.