Zittende marskramer 1834 - 1862

Curator: Here we have "Zittende marskramer," or "Seated Peddler," a watercolor work created sometime between 1834 and 1862 by Pieter Marinus van de Laar. Editor: He looks utterly exhausted. Something about the droop of his shoulders and the downward cast of his eyes…you feel it in your bones. Curator: Indeed. You get a sense of his burdens – literally. The artist has rendered a large pack strapped to the man’s back. It appears quite heavy and bulky, made of wicker or a similar material. What stands out for you regarding materials? Editor: Well, the clogs are really intriguing. We tend to think of them as quaint folk items now, but back then, they would’ve represented a specific class, likely someone who couldn't afford more substantial leather shoes. They also speak to the physicality of his labor. Imagine walking miles in those! Curator: Exactly, van de Laar’s attention to detail serves to depict everyday life during this period, but there is an ambiguity of what exactly the wares this peddler carries, creating curiosity and allowing the mind to consider the story of the man himself, rather than his purpose. It’s less a depiction of labor, and more about a fleeting moment of rest within labor. Editor: It’s the opposite of heroic portrayals, isn't it? This isn’t a triumphant merchant; this is a weary figure, almost blending into the background with those muted, earthy tones. Look closely at the light pencil work. He clearly captures not just what the peddler looks like but a sense of him. Curator: It’s as though van de Laar encountered him, jotted him down, felt the weight of the world reflected back. We feel it still, don’t we? A poignant portrait of ordinary endurance. Editor: Absolutely, and it makes you wonder about all the unseen labor, the hands that made those clogs, wove that basket… It’s a quiet meditation on the interconnectedness of things.