Gezicht op het clubhuis van de Royal Golf Club te Tervuren 1906 - 1936

Editor: Here we have "Gezicht op het clubhuis van de Royal Golf Club te Tervuren," an etching by René Janssens, created sometime between 1906 and 1936. It depicts a serene view of the clubhouse framed by architectural and floral elements. I find the formal framing quite striking. What stands out to you about this print? Curator: Well, considering this piece through a historical lens, what immediately grabs my attention is its representation of leisure and social class. Golf, historically, was a sport of the elite, wasn’t it? And this print, functioning almost as promotional material for the Royal Golf Club, reinforces that exclusivity. Look at how the clubhouse is centered and idealized, almost like a country manor. Editor: Absolutely, it exudes a certain refined lifestyle. Do you think the framing, with the architectural and natural motifs, plays into this idealization? Curator: Undoubtedly. The frame isn’t just decorative. The ivy, the structured garden elements - they create this sense of cultivated nature, reflecting the perceived control and order of the social class associated with the club. What about the fact it’s a print – what do you think the impact of that is? Editor: A print suggests wider distribution, even if it's still a somewhat limited edition. Maybe this was aimed at attracting new members, advertising a particular image. Curator: Precisely! It raises questions about how the Royal Golf Club wanted to present itself to the world, and how that image tied into broader social and political narratives of the time. Considering it was created during a period of significant social change in Europe, what might a piece like this be trying to convey about stability and tradition? Editor: That’s a powerful point. I hadn’t thought about it as an active statement within a changing society. I guess art really does function within – and comment on – the world around it. Curator: Exactly! Examining it historically really opens up the piece. Editor: I’ll definitely think twice now about promotional imagery from any institution!