Twee zeilschepen op het water bij Leidschendam 1876 - 1910

Editor: Here we have "Two Sailing Ships on the Water near Leidschendam" made between 1876 and 1910 by Alphonse Stengelin, using ink on paper. It feels so quiet and still, almost nostalgic. What stands out to you in this piece? Curator: What strikes me is the inherent tension within the image. On the one hand, we have this picturesque scene of leisure and nature, rendered with delicate realism that speaks to a desire for tranquility. Yet, if we contextualize this within its time, the late 19th century, we have to ask, whose tranquility is being represented here? Who had the privilege to enjoy leisure activities on the water while industrialization transformed the landscape and social structures for others? Consider the social stratification that allowed for such idyllic scenes to be captured and consumed. Editor: That’s a fascinating point I hadn’t considered. I was simply drawn to the composition. Does the Realism style contribute to this potential blind spot? Curator: Absolutely. Realism, while striving to depict the world "as it is," is always filtered through the artist's perspective and the prevailing social norms. So the artist may strive to reproduce his natural surroundings with “accuracy”, but what biases might he unintentionally bring into his work? Also, is Stengelin's last name, Stengelin, indicating a certain cultural origin and potential biases from his social class, race or gender identity? These identities influenced and impacted his art and perception of what’s happening around him. Can you speak a bit about how the landscape style contributed or distracted from the issue of inequality that you are raising? Editor: Well, I hadn't considered those underlying social questions initially, but now I see that simply focusing on the aesthetic qualities risks ignoring the complex power dynamics at play. Thanks, that gave me a lot to reflect on! Curator: It’s a powerful reminder that art is never truly neutral; it always participates in a broader conversation, whether consciously or unconsciously.