Rattenjager 1859 - 1864

Editor: This is "Rattenjager," or "Rat Hunter," created sometime between 1859 and 1864 by Emrik & Binger. It's a pen and pencil drawing. I find the subjects kind of fascinating and I am curious, what really stands out to you in this piece? Curator: Oh, "Rattenjager"! It whispers tales, doesn't it? The piece holds this beautiful dance between reality and storytelling. Genre painting with its everyday grit. See how the artists captured not just the figures, but the soul of labor. Do you see the contrast? Editor: Yes, I do notice a contrast...tell me more? Curator: There’s such life etched in those lines! It's as if the paper itself holds a memory, a moment captured between the rat-catcher and boy that invites us to wonder about their journey, where are they headed? Are the Rats a blessing or a burden for the community? Editor: It really does make you think, especially with his gaze seeming to be set into the distance! Curator: Right? What stories could they tell, and does that intrigue encourage further exploration? Because I feel like they might. What do you think of its academic approach? Rigid or reflective of its time? Editor: Reflective, definitely. Thanks for that perspective! It definitely shifts my focus from observation to interpretation. Curator: It does that to me as well! What a treat! It also leaves us asking if you look deep into it, what did they actually do.