Maraboe 1864 - 1936

Editor: So this drawing, "Maraboe," dating from around the late 19th or early 20th century, is a pencil sketch of a Marabou stork at the Rijksmuseum, made by Jan van Essen. It feels so immediate and unburdened. What do you see in this piece, considering its sketched quality? Curator: I see a potent symbol, even in this sketch. The Marabou stork itself is rich with contradictory associations. On one hand, it's associated with scavenging, death, the macabre, its presence often indicating decay. Editor: That's a rather dark reading! Curator: But conversely, in some cultures, storks more generally signify birth, new life, and domestic harmony. That duality is interesting. Essen captures this in the slouching posture, yes, suggesting a sort of weariness, but also an attentiveness, as though it's patiently watching for an opportunity. Do you see that contrast? Editor: Yes, I do. The almost comical "weariness" you mentioned, balanced by a sharp beak and an observant eye. It almost feels like a commentary on… well, something, even though it's just a bird. Curator: Precisely! The beauty of symbolism lies in its ambiguity and adaptability. Essen, likely unconsciously, tapped into that tension, immortalizing it in the simple marks of his pencil. What does the sketch suggest to you about this particular moment or mood? Editor: That makes me think about how we project meaning onto images, influenced by our own contexts. Maybe a 19th-century viewer saw something totally different in that bird. I really learned something about art today. Curator: As have I!