Willemynken moedigt vechtende honden aan en Dyfken vermaant haar 1590 - 1638

Curator: This captivating engraving, created sometime between 1590 and 1638, is titled "Willemynken moedigt vechtende honden aan en Dyfken vermaant haar." The artist is Boëtius Adamsz. Bolswert, and the print resides here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: Oh, wow. Immediately, I'm drawn to the chaotic energy in the foreground – the dogs snarling, the almost comedic gestures of the figures. There’s this raw, animalistic struggle juxtaposed with the seemingly detached figures in the background strolling along. Curator: Exactly. What makes this so compelling is the commentary on societal behaviors. Bolswert presents a snapshot of contrasting actions and reactions. Willemynken egging on the dogs is symbolic of instigation, and Dyfken’s remonstration, a plea for peace. Editor: It’s almost theatrical, wouldn't you agree? I keep picturing the dogs fighting while these long thin figures, which remind me of paper dolls, react, but each from their own bubble, detached from real life. Are we laughing at the spectacle, or questioning our roles as mere spectators of conflict? Curator: The print allows multiple readings depending on the socio-political and cultural context applied. It prompts questions about personal responsibility in relation to violence. Does encouraging or condemning have a more profound effect? I believe it encourages the viewer to be wary about complicity. Editor: It's funny, this older, almost fairytale-esque artwork speaks volumes about today too. You know? How sometimes the people yelling the loudest at others fighting also can incite aggression. A simple story made of dark thin lines of the figures set out amongst this whole backdrop. Like our current era where shouting dominates conversation, and real understanding and the consequences be damned! Curator: Your insights resonate deeply with the power this work holds across generations. It allows us to observe the contradictions of the world from a bird’s-eye point of view, questioning not just conflict itself, but how we navigate and respond to such challenges. Editor: Totally! The piece doesn't end when we finish looking at it; rather, it sparks something in your mind. Leaving you wondering how often, am I egging the dogs? Or perhaps…how often, maybe I should be?