Jongeman en jonge vrouw bij het sterfbed van een grijsaard 1833

Curator: This print, an etching, is entitled "Jongeman en jonge vrouw bij het sterfbed van een grijsaard," which translates to "Young man and young woman at the deathbed of an old man." It’s attributed to Paul Gavarni and dates to 1833. You can currently find it at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: Well, my initial impression is of heavy hearts, and shadows. Even though it’s an etching, the artist has coaxed a real feeling of dread and sorrow with these figures clustered around the deathbed. It’s almost… claustrophobic. Curator: The scene definitely uses familiar tropes. The dying man, the grieving couple—but what is particularly poignant is the continuity. We have youth juxtaposed against old age, a visual representation of the life cycle, played out across cultures and centuries. Notice the expressions… they appear to feel more obligated to be present than naturally inclined to care for him. Editor: Obligation, yes! Exactly. They are dressed so formally, and have the demeanor as if they are performing grief. Perhaps that’s cynical, but it rings true. Is it romanticized mourning, or are they truly feeling the loss? Curator: It could also speak to social expectations of the period. Mourning rituals were meticulously followed, particularly among the bourgeoisie. Their somber dress and controlled emotions could be read as fulfilling their social role in this solemn event. Think about Victorian hair art! It’s a physical reminder of loss...it's heavy, dense, it’s full of meaning that goes so beyond personal connection and is more about belonging to a tribe. Editor: So true, they become signifiers! But thinking more symbolically, perhaps the 'greybeard' represents old traditions, customs on their deathbed. And here are the fresh new faces to replace it... It sounds melodramatic, but there’s something simmering here below all of the formalities, it looks so stifled, but feels rebellious somehow. I can see a whole story brewing beyond the bedside. Curator: It's in line with Romanticism in a sense: deep human experiences shown in an almost theatrical stage design that makes the figures a tableau of complex inner experiences. A reminder of death to create contrast and inspire reflection! Editor: And that somber contemplation lives on… a memento mori etched in monochrome. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need a strong cup of tea!