Treurige geschiedenis van een suikerbrood c. 1902

Editor: This is "Treurige geschiedenis van een suikerbrood," or "The Sad Story of a Sugarloaf," a lithograph print from around 1902 by Pellerin & Cie. It's structured almost like a comic strip, and the colors have a quaint, vintage feel. What strikes you most when you look at this piece? Curator: It’s precisely that vintage narrative structure that grabs me. Think about it: each frame unfolds a little tragedy – a cascade of misfortune centered around this sugarloaf. There’s a street performance playing out. It's almost a vaudeville act on paper. What do you suppose that says about the role of the artist, framing misfortune with humour? Editor: I guess it lightens the mood? Like, "laugh so you don't cry" kind of thing? Also, the city scenes! The buildings feel like stage sets, very theatrical. Curator: Exactly! The artist isn't just telling a story, they're directing a miniature play. See how the backgrounds, the cityscapes, even the weather shift to emphasize the changing moods? Do you think this sugarloaf is merely a prop? Or is it more of a…protagonist in a bittersweet comedy? Editor: A delicious, crumbling protagonist! The story’s about a sugarloaf, but I think it mirrors the everyday mishaps of city life itself. Fleeting, comical, and a bit melancholic. Curator: Right, because in the end, we've all dropped our metaphorical sugarloaf at some point, haven’t we? And perhaps there's beauty, even sweetness, in accepting that sometimes things fall apart. Thanks to Pellerin & Cie, for the sugary existential contemplation! Editor: That’s a fun thought to chew on! Thanks for sharing.