Twee staande breisters in een landschap in Ede 1897

Editor: This is Willem Witsen’s "Two Standing Knitters in a Landscape near Ede," created in 1897. It's an etching on paper, held at the Rijksmuseum. It has a quiet, contemplative mood. I am curious, what meaning do you derive from the pairing of women and landscape here? Curator: The imagery of women engaged in textile work resonates deeply across cultures and time periods. Knitting, particularly, speaks to domesticity and a sense of care. Paired with the vast landscape of Ede, it suggests humanity's enduring, intimate relationship with nature. It also calls forth a historical memory, connecting us to generations of women who found both sustenance and solace in their craft. Editor: So, it’s less about idealizing the women and more about the symbolism of their activity? Curator: Precisely! The repeated action of knitting evokes cyclical rhythms of life and nature, and acts as a cultural symbol in this etching. Are the figures also, perhaps, a little mournful? What is Witsen telling us about the era in which the piece was created? Editor: Now that you point it out, they do seem to be imbued with nostalgia, given the muted tones of the print. There’s a longing there. I hadn't considered that, thanks! Curator: It’s amazing to unpack how cultural memory is passed on through symbols and visual stories. Do you now perceive continuity where you hadn't before? Editor: Definitely! Seeing it as more than just a genre painting but rather an etching filled with loaded symbols of generational memory really adds a new layer to the piece. Thanks so much.