Karnende man 1777 - 1779

Curator: Here we have Pieter de Mare's "Karnende man," created between 1777 and 1779. It's currently held in the Rijksmuseum. Editor: Immediately, the lines strike me. There's such clear work happening in the pen and ink that you almost hear the churn from looking at it. The labour feels palpable. Curator: De Mare’s work gives us a direct window into the daily life of the 18th century, moving away from traditional history painting towards depictions of the working class. It's quite innovative for its time. Editor: The materials themselves speak volumes about accessibility. Pen and ink on paper suggest a democratization of art production, wouldn’t you agree? It's far from the oil paints and canvases reserved for the elite. And he´s in a very Baroque style... but used in every-day settings and materials! Curator: Absolutely. And what I find compelling is how he chooses this mundane task to depict. Butter making wasn’t exactly high subject matter, which reflects a broader shift towards valuing ordinary people and activities. This reflects societal values in 18th-century Netherlands. Editor: Right, because we see the final product of butter not as some luxury but an every-day staple for the common folk, churned, traded, and consumed daily. Consider what these simple lines convey in labor and social meaning! Curator: Indeed. It gives a sense of the dignity of labour often overlooked in grand historical narratives. De Mare immortalizes an unseen corner of society through a medium that mirrors their unpretentious lives. Editor: And by putting emphasis in craftmanship De Mare elevates it to a valued skill and art. It challenges traditional views on who makes art and what art can represent. This invites new kinds of imagery and voices that enrich society in all levels! Curator: Very well said. I find the art tells us that those in power are not the only that build our world! Editor: Agreed, it offers a material and metaphorical taste of how art makes the invisible become essential.