Paar eenden 1639 - 1677

Curator: This engaging pen and ink drawing, crafted sometime between 1639 and 1677, is titled "Paar eenden", or "Pair of Ducks," attributed to Anthonie van Borssom, a painter working in the Dutch Golden Age. Editor: Oh, there's a delightful stillness to it! The ducks seem completely undisturbed in their little world, almost as if they are posing for us. But what captures me most is the meticulous detail that invites tranquility. Curator: Indeed. Van Borssom often used waterfowl as emblems within his landscapes. They were signs for equanimity. Ducks themselves often became symbols for social harmony, representing contentment within one's sphere, not venturing into more turbulent waters. The use of such potent emblems was characteristic of his style. Editor: I can see that sense of harmony; they really seem to embody a state of quiet acceptance, sheltered by the reeds, with those minimalist trees in the background, with something slightly wistful or nostalgic that strikes a chord. The choice to depict these ducks, rather than some grandiose scene of Dutch trade, is a really interesting and intimate study of simple existence, no? Curator: Precisely. The seemingly simple setting and the realism with which Van Borssom rendered these creatures underscores the Dutch emphasis on finding spiritual meaning within domesticity and the familiar, inviting the viewer to reflect upon the inherent grace within the commonplace. Editor: It really emphasizes a more human perspective on the natural world. I’m starting to notice even subtle contrasts within what initially appeared monochrome. This rendering serves not merely as documentation but also invites us, perhaps subliminally, to engage deeply with nature's quiet moments. It makes one wonder how contemporary eyes view this symbolism and realism through our contemporary lenses. Curator: Yes. By exploring the seemingly small worlds in this "Paar eenden", Van Borssom reflects cultural memory. The symbolic weights carried from his culture speak even across centuries. Editor: And from me? It awakens within my feelings that something fundamental ties humanity with every species of the living things.