Waar men een huis van bouwt 1865 - 1875

Editor: This is "Waar men een huis van bouwt," or "Where one builds a house," a woodcut print by George Lodewijk Funke from between 1865 and 1875. It shows a sequence of images illustrating the building of a house. What stands out to me is how it depicts this whole process almost like a comic strip – what's your take? Curator: It’s fascinating how Funke presents this seemingly straightforward act of building a house. But consider the labor involved – who is represented, and who is notably absent? This piece, produced in a time of significant social stratification, may unwittingly highlight class disparities and the exploitation of labor. Editor: I hadn’t thought of it that way. Are you suggesting the print subtly critiques the social order? Curator: Perhaps "critiques" is too strong. But consider: the figures are largely generic, almost anonymous. We don’t see their individual stories, only their actions within a larger, economically driven process. Who benefits from this house being built? And at whose expense? How does the print engage with notions of domesticity and gendered labor? Editor: I guess it does raise a lot of questions about labor and social roles that maybe I wasn't thinking about. So, you see the visual composition of the piece – the sequence of images – as subtly reflecting these power dynamics? Curator: Exactly. By breaking down the construction into discrete steps, the print isolates each stage of labor, obscuring the interconnectedness and interdependence of the workers. The print isn’t necessarily celebrating or condemning – perhaps just reflecting – the realities of its time. And reflecting *from* a certain point of view. What are your thoughts now? Editor: I’m struck by how much richer it is to consider the historical context. I now see this seemingly simple print as a snapshot of complex social dynamics related to labor and housing in the 19th century. Thank you!