Fabriek aan de Zaan 1893 - 1942

Editor: So, this is *Fabriek aan de Zaan*, a woodcut print made sometime between 1893 and 1942 by Jac Jongert. It's housed right here in the Rijksmuseum. What strikes me is the heavy contrast, almost like looking at a charcoal drawing – gives it a somber, industrial feel. What's your take? Curator: Oh, you’re right! It definitely has that atmospheric heft to it, doesn't it? You know, when I look at this, I almost feel the weight of the air above that factory. The turbulent sky...do you see how the artist uses these swirling lines? They give everything this sense of impending…something! I wonder what he was thinking about when he created it. It's not just a factory; it's an *idea* of a factory. Almost… oppressive? Editor: Oppressive, yeah! Like the industry is crowding everything else out, including any kind of clear weather. I'm also curious about his choice of material. Why a woodcut? Curator: Well, woodcuts are raw, immediate. They offer that direct connection between the artist’s hand and the image. The crude cuts almost echo the rough-and-tumble reality of industrial life at the time, wouldn’t you say? It almost adds a voice to the picture. Like it's muttering something. It adds depth and makes it somehow vulnerable. Editor: Vulnerable, that's interesting. It's like even though it's strong and imposing, the texture shows the human effort involved in making the artwork – and, by extension, in creating the industry it depicts. I’m glad to know this backstory. Curator: Exactly! And isn’t it amazing how much a simple piece like this can convey, once we really look? We might need to be here another hour so that you're ready to write that description now.