Mijnheer Winter c. 1843 - 1920

Editor: This is "Mijnheer Winter," or "Mr. Winter," an engraving dating from around 1843 to 1920, by Moritz von Schwind, housed in the Rijksmuseum. It strikes me as a whimsical, narrative piece. Each vignette feels like a different verse of a poem or scene from a play. How do you interpret this work? Curator: What jumps out to me is how Von Schwind is utilizing the popular medium of printmaking to disseminate a certain kind of nationalistic, almost folksy narrative. Look at these scenes – ice skating, warming by the fire, even the celebration. What is Von Schwind suggesting about the idealized life of ordinary people during winter? Editor: So, you're saying it's not just a depiction of winter scenes, but also promoting an image of communal harmony? I hadn’t considered the potential political dimension of what feels like everyday life. Curator: Exactly! The images depict a sort of ideal of shared enjoyment and traditions that reinforce social cohesion. Consider also the deliberate construction of "Germanic" folklore prevalent in art and literature of this time period. This work is both a reflection and an active participant in that process. Who gets included in that ideal, and who is left out? What do we make of their portrayal? Editor: That raises important questions. Is this an effort to create a unified identity, maybe even a national identity, through these carefully selected winter activities? It makes me wonder if there's a sense of nostalgia present as well. Curator: Precisely! The artwork functions as both a visual archive and a cultural intervention. By representing a certain kind of idealized winter, Von Schwind is also shaping the way people think about their past, their present, and their national belonging. It encourages viewers to embrace certain ideals but may erase important parts of the population who do not ascribe to those beliefs. Editor: It's fascinating how what appears on the surface to be simple scenes can have such layered meanings. This gives me a lot to think about! Curator: Indeed, it illustrates the power of art in shaping social and political consciousness, reminding us to look beyond the picturesque to understand the narratives being constructed and reinforced.