Gans 1876 - 1924

Curator: Oh, this little sketch is deceivingly charming. This is "Gans," meaning "Goose" in Dutch, a pencil drawing by Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof, probably done sometime between 1876 and 1924. It’s currently housed here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: It has a lovely sense of stillness, doesn't it? A certain peace seems to emanate from the goose, curled up like that. Almost zen, really. Curator: Yes, but note the several attempts and varied perspectives—a goose standing, a goose resting, a detailed rendering of its leg. Dijsselhof appears to be studying it from all angles, capturing its essence. Editor: Goose as symbol... I find the self-containment fascinating. In many cultures, geese represent watchfulness, community, loyalty. Yet here, Dijsselhof presents a solitary creature, seemingly lost in its own little world. Curator: Well, sometimes observation is just that, simple, without grandiose metaphors. Dijsselhof may just have found himself drawn to the curve of its neck, the texture of its feathers. I like to imagine him amused by its ungainly grace. Editor: Ungainly grace – I love that description! I do wonder if there's more here. Birds often symbolize transformation, the soul's journey... is Dijsselhof exploring themes of introspection and peace through this unassuming goose? Or is it merely an attempt to get the details just right? Curator: It’s both, maybe? Dijsselhof allows us into the private process, capturing a quiet moment between artist and subject—with space for introspection, with room for different answers, or no answer at all. Editor: A fine line between documentary and poetics then? Food for thought, indeed. This seemingly simple sketch provides a unique experience to those open to seeing all perspectives. Curator: I suppose a goose, even a sleeping one, can indeed stir deep reflection. A reminder that art sometimes lies in seeing beauty in the mundane, finding complexity in the everyday.