Bescheidenheid 1784

Curator: Here we have Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki's "Bescheidenheid," created in 1784. It’s an etching and engraving on paper, currently held in the Rijksmuseum collection. Editor: Oh, my goodness, they're so proper! A delicate balance between restraint and slight drama, you know? It almost feels like looking through a very civilized keyhole. Curator: The work falls squarely within Neoclassical aesthetics, a moment of renewed interest in the visual culture of classical antiquity, influencing everything from painting to architecture and, of course, printmaking. Considering the sociopolitical turmoil that marked this period, how does the theme of modesty, “Bescheidenheid,” speak to the issues of the day? Editor: Right? Modesty feels almost…radical. Look at these tiny figures. On the left, an introspective gentleman in a garden; and, to the right, a distinguished man and his very aristocratic dog...Is it a reflection, maybe a little dig, at the upper class? The very small scale demands an intimacy and scrutiny, the same kind one would have to take with someone hiding? Curator: These characterisations aren't about realism; they are vehicles for transmitting social and moral lessons through symbolism and allegory. The 'genre scene,' the dog, all reflect this need to express virtue. Consider that Chodowiecki used the print medium intentionally to broaden accessibility for middle-class consumption of such works, driving discussions about contemporary manners. Editor: See, that makes sense! To mass produce this little…whisper campaign. Curator: Exactly. His decision becomes almost subversive; making a seemingly gentle statement accessible to a growing literate public is a bold move, even in its restraint. Editor: Subversive modesty, I like it! Makes me want to go be politely defiant! So glad for the intricacies we found and those that are yet to find!