Wie zou 't niet gaarne mogen lijden, / Om tot vermaak eens uit te rijden? / Het rijden is een goede zaak, / 't verschaft ons dikwijls veel vermaak 1848 - 1881

Editor: Here we have "Wie zou 't niet gaarne mogen lijden, / Om tot vermaak eens uit te rijden? / Het rijden is een goede zaak, / 't verschaft ons dikwijls veel vermaak" by Lutkie & Cranenburg, dating from 1848 to 1881. It's an engraving, a series of little scenes with horse-drawn carriages. It reminds me of a page from a children's book, but there’s something a bit stiff and formal about it. What do you see in this piece? Curator: This print, seemingly a lighthearted depiction of leisurely carriage rides, speaks volumes about class and privilege in 19th-century Dutch society. Who had the time and money for "vermaak," for pleasure outings? And who was excluded from this experience? Editor: So, it’s not just a simple illustration? Curator: Precisely. The image becomes a social commentary when viewed through a critical lens. The carefully rendered carriages and well-dressed passengers reinforce the visibility of the upper classes. Notice how the lower classes, the labor that supports these leisurely activities, are absent from these scenes? Who do you think are doing the work of cleaning, maintaining, and caring for the horses? Editor: Right, the servants, grooms, stable workers... they’re completely invisible. I hadn’t thought about that. Curator: These absences are critical. Art often reflects the values of the dominant culture, and this piece inadvertently exposes the inequalities inherent in that system. Do you think these scenes served to justify the social hierarchy? Editor: I guess, by presenting this lifestyle as normal and desirable, it subtly reinforces the status quo. Thanks! Curator: Exactly. Analyzing the power dynamics embedded within seemingly innocuous imagery is a crucial skill for understanding art's complex relationship to society.