Kindervermaken 1848 - 1881

Curator: "Kindervermaken," or "Children's Amusements," made sometime between 1848 and 1881 by Lutkie & Cranenburg, a Dutch print, housed here at the Rijksmuseum. This drawing style and composition makes me feel like I am walking through scenes of simpler times, like little windows into a lost world. What catches your eye? Editor: What a lovely way to put it, windows into a lost world. The entire sheet just explodes with life – it's like a comic strip! But if you had to choose one window, which is the one that resonates with you the most? Curator: Hmmm, well, they all tickle my fancy in their own ways. Perhaps the children in the water – the chaos of it all! Are they splashing or learning to swim? Each little vignette is so complete but collectively the image is something new altogether. How do you interpret this piece? Editor: I guess, on one hand, this celebrates the naivety of children, just discovering what their environment has to offer. Curator: Exactly! It speaks to a particular Dutch sentiment, where scenes of everyday life hold profound meaning. Did you notice how even these simple lines capture genuine joy and a connection to the land? It almost feels rebellious compared to more traditional heroic art. Editor: Yes, and seeing it laid out like this has really transformed my understanding of genre painting – it can be both simple and profound at once. Thanks for offering such a whimsical view into "Kindervermaken!" Curator: My pleasure, the charm and historical context really bring it to life.