Drie ovalen met landschappen c. 17th century

Curator: Paul (de Jonge) Flindt's "Drie ovalen met landschappen," dating from around the 17th century, offers us three distinct landscapes captured within ornate, oval frames. It’s currently held at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: Wow, there’s such a whimsical, storybook feel to this piece! The landscapes almost seem like stages for miniature dramas, framed by those ridiculously elaborate borders. I want to shrink down and wander around. Curator: It's fascinating to consider the potential colonial gaze inherent in these depictions, isn't it? The landscapes aren’t merely pretty scenes; they likely represent territories newly encountered or imagined through a European lens, reinforcing power dynamics of exploration and control. Editor: Hmm, that's sobering to consider. But taken on its own—disconnected from intention and influence—I notice such delicate, detailed work. Those tiny lines create depth. It's like the artist captured whole worlds in these little capsules, and the bordering makes them feel precious. Curator: The use of etching and engraving truly does showcase a mastery of line. Thinking about the artist’s possible source material becomes relevant here. These may not be purely observational, which shifts our understanding towards constructed landscapes. Were these designed for a print series destined for a wealthy patron’s library, meant to evoke a sense of exoticism from the comfort of their home? Editor: You're right, the ornamentation really speaks to a desire for the exotic, packaged for easy consumption. It reminds me a bit of the Victorian fascination with taxidermied hummingbirds – beauty pinned down and arranged. Curator: It is impossible to escape the framework within which such landscape traditions took hold. Understanding the intertwined development of capitalism, colonialism, and visual culture allows us to recognize the impact of Flindt's creation in that history. Editor: So, perhaps this "storybook feel" is actually part of a bigger story, about power, possession, and maybe even the birth of modern tourism? I'll think about the piece from that lens going forward, for sure! Thanks for deepening my experience, this definitely was a fresh look into landscapes.