Wensbrief met activiteiten op straat c. 18th - 19th century

Editor: We're looking at "Wensbrief met activiteiten op straat," a drawing and etching with watercolor from around the 18th or 19th century by B. Schuuring. It has a Rococo feel to it. The scene is charming, almost like a little stage. What jumps out at you when you see this? Curator: It's funny, isn't it? A greeting card portraying... well, everyday street shenanigans. To me, it speaks volumes about the value they placed on community back then, celebrating ordinary interactions as worthy of memorializing. Look how intricately the Rococo style frames this mundane street scene. There's an oval where one would expect some lovely calligraphy, and what do you see filling the frame at the bottom? What might this contrast suggest? Editor: I see! It's almost as if they're elevating these common folk to a level of aristocracy, or poking fun at the aristocracy. And this technique, this layering of etching, drawing and watercolor... was this a common practice then? Curator: It certainly provided texture and depth! That combination created nuances in tone, and likely emphasized details and highlights. So it gave a little extra punch of realism to their whimsical scene. This artwork offers so much room for imagination, what stories do you imagine unfolding here? Editor: I can imagine it all, people visiting the market, kids playing, you've given me so much more insight! It makes me think about what scenes from today we'd put on a card to celebrate life! Curator: Precisely. It makes you wonder about our priorities, doesn’t it? I now wonder what our legacy will look like a few hundred years from now.