Zittende condor 1886

Editor: This is Jan van Essen’s "Zittende condor," a drawing from 1886 at the Rijksmuseum. It's stark, immediate. Something about the direct gaze makes me uneasy, yet also, I want to know more about the artist’s intent. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: It feels like Van Essen isn't just rendering a condor, is he? It’s less about ornithological accuracy, more about… confronting something within himself. Notice the frantic energy of the linework contrasting with the stillness of the bird's pose. It is looking right at us, isn't it? As if we, too, are part of this internal struggle. And doesn't it make you wonder: What are we guilty of? What darkness in our souls does this noble predator reflect? Editor: That's intense! Guilty of what? I guess its gaze is unsettling. The dark and light play really emphasizes its presence. I hadn’t thought about guilt... Curator: Or perhaps "guilt" is too strong. More like, the uncomfortable truth that we all carry wildness within us, instincts we try to tame, a part of ourselves we judge. This condor embodies that untamed spirit, unapologetically itself. It's staring back at us as though daring us to accept the wildness within our human existence. Does this perspective perhaps shed a different light on its perceived “stare”? Editor: It does, yes. That makes me appreciate it more! The texture in the sketch shows its wild spirit through an artistic representation. I feel as though the artist succeeded in conveying its strength and grace. Curator: Exactly! See, Van Essen isn’t just an artist; he's a mirror. And sometimes, we need art to reflect back what we often ignore or fear within ourselves. Makes you see the museum as less of a storehouse and more like a confessional booth, doesn't it? Editor: A confessional booth, indeed! I'll definitely carry that thought with me as I explore other pieces. Thank you for that!