Wilt gij van mij wat huisraad koopen? / Zoo hoeft gij bij geen buur te loopen 1848 - 1881

Editor: This whimsical print, “Wilt gij van mij wat huisraad koopen? / Zoo hoeft gij bij geen buur te loopen,” dating from 1848-1881 and made by Lutkie & Cranenburg, showcases row upon row of household objects in vibrant hues. It's like a catalog page from a dream! All these slightly wonky illustrations give it such a naive, charming feel. What story do you think this picture is telling us? Curator: Oh, I'm so glad you used the word "dream," because it really is about envisioning the possibilities. It reads like a peddler’s wares, splashed with the optimistic colours of a child’s painting. It promises a well-equipped life, free from having to borrow from neighbours. See how the objects aren't quite proportionally correct? That enhances the folksy feel, placing functionality above all else, almost a promise to folks with not much money. How do these objects make you feel, in terms of status and economics? Editor: It definitely highlights how acquiring these items improved a household's status. Makes you think about the labor and trade involved. All that colorful folk-art style and detail... It’s incredibly captivating for what is essentially an advertisement! Curator: Exactly! And beyond their practical purpose, do you think some of these objects possess a more symbolic quality? For instance, that hanging scale... Editor: You’re right. Now I see how it is referencing the domestic sphere through items linked to trade, equity, and stability, while offering accessible consumerism through illustrations, which creates an intriguing narrative of Dutch aspirations during that period. Curator: Yes! So it is not only a lovely and quaint visual display, but a real portal into the hopes and desires of ordinary folk during that period. I find it profoundly moving, don't you? Editor: Absolutely, it reveals so much through something as simple as a household goods advert. Thanks for pointing all this out!