Zee- en riviergoden, een zeilschip en kronen 1900 - 1903

Curator: This is "Sea and River Gods, a Sailing Ship, and Crowns," a pencil drawing on paper by Antoon Derkinderen, made sometime between 1900 and 1903. Editor: It's like looking into an artist's mind at the initial stage. Very faint, gestural—full of possible futures, but not fully resolved. A bit like glimpsing the outlines of a dream just after waking. Curator: Precisely! Derkinderen was a real symbolist, deeply invested in distilling profound meaning through deceptively simple forms. It is not only the final work of art which reveals the artist’s spirit. This work feels somehow even more transparent in sharing something essential, even though he presents to us less finished visual form. Editor: Symbolism, right. I can see it. There's a mythical atmosphere here. These vague gods floating near a ship suggest both mastery over nature and, perhaps, its overwhelming power, too. It makes me feel like humanity and nature coexisting as a shared essence. It’s very evocative. Curator: The context matters. The late 19th century was an era grappling with rapid industrialization and philosophical shifts. The interest in symbolism rose out of the yearning for meaning beyond mere material progress. Artists and thinkers of this time looked to mythology and dreams for answers, with figures like Derkinderen exploring this deeply personal terrain. Editor: And this being a preparatory drawing allows the eye to complete the shapes in a very special way, creating a deeply individual and memorable experience for the viewer, which one doesn’t always get with more "complete" artworks. Curator: Absolutely, and it speaks to Derkinderen’s dedication to distilling art down to its conceptual essence. It encourages us, too, to appreciate not only the finished piece but also the evolving process, making the observer more a participant than an observer. Editor: A lovely intimate glimpse into the workings of Derkinderen’s mind. Thank you. Curator: And thank you for shedding light on this enchanting, early work!