Wonderlyke en zeldzaame historie van Thyl Ulenspiegel 1776 - 1813

Curator: This is a print entitled "Wonderlyke en zeldzaame Historie van Thyl Ulenspiegel," dating from 1776 to 1813 and created by Johannes Seydel. It depicts various scenes from the tales of the folk hero Thyl Ulenspiegel. Editor: Immediately, what strikes me is the composition. These small, densely packed scenes read almost like a storyboard. The aged paper adds a tangible sense of history and the texture. Curator: Indeed. This graphic art presents the well-known narrative in comic-strip style. What interests me is how it makes accessible this particular folkloric character and contributes to shaping a popular and broadly understandable identity. Editor: I agree about the appeal and understandability of the comic panel, but how do we know it really contributed? Isn’t this more of a snapshot reflecting pre-existing views of this hero? For example, what is communicated by Seydel’s use of engraving over something else like etching or woodcut? Curator: Perhaps, though it played a role in circulating and reaffirming those pre-existing views to a growing readership. Engraving made this series producible on a commercial scale which certainly affected a range of contemporary consumers. Editor: Perhaps! However, consider the detail allowed in this piece. Each mini tableau feels clear despite its small size and the repetition of similar poses. Even with the lack of perspective or modelling, the density works in its favour and brings our attention back to the narratives, though their themes aren't clear from image to image. Curator: I see what you mean! Considering this artwork's format—the visual language is interesting as it merges folk-art elements with an increasingly popular commercial printing industry. Editor: And there lies an irony, no? This so called 'folk art', carefully created and laid out so professionally in many near identical copies on perhaps identical machines for optimal circulation… it certainly poses many questions, wouldn’t you agree? Curator: It does! It shows just how entwined art and commerce become. Thanks for bringing that to my attention. Editor: Thank you, its easy to sometimes ignore what you see right in front of you and over intellectualise instead.