De zonnegod Apollo in zijn wagen c. 1924

Editor: So, here we have "The Sun God Apollo in His Chariot" by Willem van Konijnenburg, circa 1924, rendered in colored pencil. It has an almost ethereal feel, with this dynamic composition of horses and figures. What catches your eye in this piece? Curator: What interests me most is the interplay between the mythic subject and the materiality of its execution. Van Konijnenburg chose colored pencil, a medium often associated with craft or illustration, to depict this grandiose, historical scene. Why do you think he gravitated toward what we might call "lowly" materials for such an elevated subject? Editor: Hmm, maybe he wanted to make the gods seem more accessible or human somehow? Or maybe it was about challenging traditional notions of what "high art" should be made of? Curator: Precisely. We might consider how the accessibility of colored pencils – their availability, affordability – democratizes the artistic process. This allows the artist to sidestep established academic hierarchies and engage a broader audience. Note, also, how the medium informs the texture, resulting in soft edges. Is this dissonance – between a medium normally assigned to sketches, and the heroic theme -- accidental, or purposeful? Editor: I never really considered the materials in that light before. So, seeing the conscious choice of these specific materials reframes how we should be reading the image overall, like a comment on the way we perceive grand narratives in art? Curator: Absolutely! It forces us to think critically about the societal structures that dictate what materials are deemed appropriate for certain subjects and the power dynamics embedded within artistic production. The labor is apparent too - seeing the process in those overlaid pencil lines makes it so approachable. Editor: That’s really insightful. I'm definitely seeing the artwork in a new way now. Curator: Exactly. The artwork opens up a conversation between the "what" and "how," challenging us to unpack and reimagine our own values and judgments when engaging with artistic creations.