Twee Kruisbekken 1730 - 1775

Curator: Here we have "Twee Kruisbekken," or "Two Crossbills," a watercolor drawing and print by Christiaan Sepp, dating to between 1730 and 1775. Editor: Immediately, there’s a serenity here. These birds, perched on their respective branches, evoke a sense of quiet observation. It's the kind of peace you find deep in a forest, unexpectedly encountering nature. Curator: Indeed. Notice Sepp's masterful use of watercolor. The texture created with the layers of washes offers dimension and volume, giving the crossbills a remarkable sense of presence. The scientific accuracy with which he portrays the birds is notable. Editor: Oh, the texture is fantastic! See the slight roughness, like you could almost feel the individual feathers. And I love how he captured the distinct crossed beak of each bird. They almost seem puzzled, or like they're sharing a secret joke. Curator: The composition itself follows a rather standard structure of the time, employing a vertically oriented plane. However, what elevates this piece beyond mere illustration is the evident engagement with the very essence of each species. The rendering goes past mere representation, to where it suggests character. Editor: Exactly! The green one at the top, slightly mid-flap, feels a little shy, peeking out from the foliage. The lower, more vividly hued one looks grounded and content. The limited palette is stunning; it amplifies, not limits, the visual depth. It's like he's saying so much with so little. Curator: A carefully selected minimal palette often serves to refine the focus onto the essential morphology. In essence, Sepp directs our attention to structure and form through the delicate variations in tone and saturation within a contained chromatic register. It heightens the clarity of representation. Editor: I just feel a strange sort of kinship with these little birds; an understanding about existing, simply existing. It reminds me of those moments when I’m painting and everything just aligns – a complete lack of self-consciousness and just pure absorption in being alive. Curator: It’s precisely this subtle ability to convey essence and intrinsic beauty, this structural honesty if you will, that sets Sepp’s work apart. Editor: Yes, so very lovely... the image resonates on different levels. It celebrates not just the objective but also a felt connection with these lives that otherwise would escape our gaze.