Ontrouwe schoolmeester 1731 - 1767

Editor: Here we have Johann Georg Pintz’s print, "Ontrouwe schoolmeester," which translates to "unfaithful schoolmaster," dating sometime between 1731 and 1767. It's an engraving, filled with intricate detail. What immediately strikes me is the performative nature of justice that’s visualized; it almost feels theatrical. What's your take on this image? Curator: Theatrical is a good way to describe it. Look at how the Baroque style and the function of printmaking interact here. This wasn’t simply about artistic expression, but disseminating ideas. We have a classical framing device—a very ornate border. Inside it is a staged scene depicting the unfaithful schoolmaster. To me, this piece speaks volumes about the socio-political concerns of the time, and the power structures in place, but what societal roles seem to be centered in this piece? Editor: Well, clearly education and the role of teachers…and perhaps also patriotism? The inscription below seems pretty pointed about betraying the fatherland. Curator: Exactly. And consider the potential audience. Prints like this were often circulated among a relatively educated elite, people who could read the inscriptions and appreciate the classical allusions. This image would function as both entertainment and a cautionary tale reinforcing contemporary anxieties. The imagery would speak to civic responsibility, and the dangers of betrayal to the emerging concept of the nation-state. I think a question to also pose would be how we also conceptualize such power structures and educational structures today? Editor: So, it’s not just a picture, but a commentary on social and political values. It kind of makes you wonder who was commissioning and consuming these prints, right? This has reshaped how I see prints like this; they're not just decorative, but powerful tools. Curator: Indeed, seeing art within its historical and social framework, not just aesthetically, offers deeper understanding. The past and present are intricately linked and continue to affect imagery and sociopolitical movements.