Boys Blowing Bubbles ("The Son of Teniers") 18th-19th century

Editor: Here we have Lambert Antoine Claessens' print, "Boys Blowing Bubbles." The ephemeral nature of the bubbles juxtaposed with the formality of the scene gives it a wistful feeling. What do you notice in the composition? Curator: The artist's deliberate use of chiaroscuro directs our gaze to the figure on the left, highlighting the texture of his feathered hat and elaborate costume. Consider also the implied lines connecting the bubble wands to the floating spheres. How do these visual relationships affect your interpretation? Editor: It does create a certain tension, between the boys and the bubbles... as if they’re suspended in time. I never thought about implied lines in that way before. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. The composition invites us to contemplate the interplay between permanence and transience, substance and void.