Oud boekje 1946

Editor: So, this is "Oud Boekje," or "Old Booklet," created by Jan Petrus Ponstijn in 1946 using mixed media. It feels quite fragile, like I could crumble it if I touched it. What strikes you about the work? Curator: The visible labor in creating this piece immediately draws me in. Think about the paper, the ink, even the colored pencil – where did these materials originate? What processes were required to transform raw materials into something Ponstijn could use? Editor: That’s a fascinating perspective! I hadn't really considered the origins of the materials themselves. So you're saying the meaning isn't just in the image of the old book, but also in the story of its making? Curator: Exactly. Consider the cultural context of 1946. Europe was still recovering from the war, and materials were scarce. Was using found materials a deliberate artistic choice? Or was it simply born out of necessity? This materiality reflects and embodies its historical and economic reality. How does that affect our understanding? Editor: That adds a whole new layer of complexity. Maybe the artist is commenting on value and what we choose to preserve, especially after a destructive event like WWII. Curator: Precisely. Also, I wonder what book is it? Editor: Possibly a prayer book, something carried close to a person during difficult times. Curator: So, the content and construction are united! What starts as the everyday transforms through careful handling into something worth preserving. How does that change your perception? Editor: It makes me see the piece as a quiet celebration of resilience, both of the book as an object, but also perhaps of the human spirit after so much devastation. Curator: I agree. By analyzing the materials and the process, we find deeper meaning and context that go far beyond just the subject of the drawing.