Ziet kinderen! dit edele dier,/ Verliest in 't eind, veel van zijn zwier. / Zoo zal 't u gaan, o lieve jeugd! / Als ge u niet toelegt op de deugd 1850 - 1870

Editor: This drawing, titled "Ziet kinderen! dit edele dier…", which translates to “See children! this noble animal...", dates back to somewhere between 1850 and 1870, and it's currently held at the Rijksmuseum. Attributed to Willem Bal, it's created using woodcut, a type of printmaking, on paper. There's something quite charming and also a little melancholic about it. What strikes you about this work? Curator: Oh, "melancholic" is spot on, a perceptive starting point! It reminds me of illustrated books, those delightful, sometimes slightly ominous, stories whispered by candlelight. It presents little snapshots of a horse's life. It feels deeply rooted in folk tradition, doesn’t it? Notice the almost playful, almost clumsy way the lines are cut – each little scene vibrates with its own tiny drama. It has a sort of earnest message about growing old or virtue that reads kind of comical to our modern sensibilities. I love the simple landscapes though, don’t you? Editor: Absolutely. It’s those little narrative snippets that I find so engaging. It's as if we are watching a filmstrip of the life and labour of a horse... almost like a morality tale. Curator: Exactly, and think about the audience. Not the royal court, or a wealthy merchant but the 'folk'! These are images meant to be understood and appreciated by everyday folk. Does that alter your perception of its value, perhaps? Editor: It definitely enriches my appreciation! Knowing its humble origins and its moralistic intention really deepens its significance for me. Curator: Beautiful! I find the simplicity of the medium perfectly suits its aim: an unpretentious and readily accessible moral lesson for all!