Vogel voert jong 1894 - 1977

Editor: So this is “Vogel voert jong” by Balthasar Meisner. It's an etching, so both a drawing and a print, made sometime between 1894 and 1977. The print depicts two birds, a parent and chick, on a thin branch. It’s delicate and charming, almost like a page out of a storybook. What strikes you about it? Curator: Well, considering its nature as an etching, I immediately think about the labor involved. The process of creating the plate, applying the acid, the meticulous work that goes into producing a scene like this. Was this a commercially produced print intended for mass consumption, or was it something more personal, a handcrafted piece aimed at a select audience? How does its materiality reflect its social function? Editor: That’s an interesting way to look at it. I was just thinking about the birds! I didn't consider the production. What sort of audience might have purchased such a piece? Curator: Possibly a middle-class audience, given the date and the subject matter. The availability of printed images democratized art to some degree, allowing wider access than painting afforded. We must consider, also, the materials used: paper, ink, the etching tools themselves. Were these readily available or specialized? The answers to these questions influence our perception of the art. Editor: That's fascinating. Did the availability of materials influence the artwork made at that time? Curator: Absolutely! Think about the rise of photography and its impact on painting. Cheaper paints in tubes encouraged plein air painting. Material availability, technological innovations in production and the means of distribution were vital for defining what was considered to be art and what it could represent.. Editor: I never thought about it that way before. So, instead of just looking at the image, we should also consider the materials, labor, and distribution? Curator: Precisely. It provides a fuller and more accurate context. Editor: That makes a lot of sense. I will look at prints, drawings and etching differently moving forward, thanks!