Figuren in verschillende houdingen c. 1846 - 1882

Curator: Welcome to the Rijksmuseum. Today, we’re looking at a work by Cornelis Springer, “Figuren in verschillende houdingen,” which translates to "Figures in Various Poses," created circa 1846-1882. Springer worked with mixed media – watercolor and drawing – in its creation. Editor: It's a sketch, raw and unpolished. There's a stillness despite the many figures; everyone seems paused, mid-action, in their own little world, isolated by this candid snapshot. Curator: Springer's mastery lies in the material – his use of watercolor allows for that ephemeral quality, suggesting movement but never fully committing to it. This reflects the broader culture around artistic training and craft production during the mid-19th century, an important aspect to understanding how genre painting was materializing within these means of making. Editor: That frozen quality is intriguing, isn’t it? I see the representation of Dutch society; in dress, you can discern distinctions, suggesting class and status. The man kneeling looks to be fixing a shoe – perhaps it's the labor of mending itself that’s halted momentarily by the artist’s capture? We need to recognize whose labor gets represented, or rendered invisible. Curator: Precisely. Consider, too, the materiality of the clothing rendered in the painting - this reveals information regarding commerce and the rise of textile manufacture. The act of representation in drawing and painting involved access to very particular materials as well, something important for us to remember when looking at the social contexts of making. Editor: And within those visual cues, the positioning – both hierarchical and social – become more clear. There’s the implied gaze that seems to privilege some figures while reducing others, reminding us of the artist’s gaze, and the dynamics of power inherent within these moments of observation. Curator: It becomes clear that even what may seem like a simple "genre painting" opens avenues for examining material practices and social constructs embedded within its very making. Thanks for exploring that with me. Editor: A valuable insight into labor, identity, and the politics of visibility through art; let’s carry these with us as we view further works here at the Rijksmuseum!