Geiten 1849 - 1917

Editor: Here we have Matthijs Maris’ “Geiten”, likely from between 1849 and 1917, rendered in pencil. It looks like a quick sketch, almost a study of goats in a field, maybe. What’s your take on this drawing? Curator: Considering this drawing, I'm immediately drawn to its materiality. Look at the support: squared paper, perhaps torn from a notebook. This isn't presented as a finished artwork intended for the salon. It's raw, functional, hinting at the artist's process, the labor of observing and recording. Do you think this choice affects our understanding of "high" art? Editor: Definitely! The everyday material really flattens the traditional hierarchy. What about the rapid lines and sparse details? Curator: Exactly. Maris isn't concerned with idealized representations. The pencil strokes document the interaction between artist and subject, capturing fleeting movements. Consider the social context. Who typically uses these kinds of materials and for what reason? Editor: Students? Laborers? It seems disconnected from the idea of a precious masterpiece and closer to utilitarian work, which could democratize art. It’s more of a study. Curator: Precisely! And how does knowing this potentially changes your perspective on the subject? Editor: Thinking about the tools changes how I view the final piece! I’ll certainly pay more attention to the materials used. Curator: I agree! This invites us to reconsider our ideas around the value ascribed to art itself.