Ontmoeting (van bazen en honden) c. 1970 - 1980

Curator: This ink drawing, held here at the Rijksmuseum, is titled "Ontmoeting (van bazen en honden)", or "Encounter (of bosses and dogs)," made circa 1970-1980 by Rein Dool. My first impression? It has a stark, almost satirical quality. Editor: There's a fascinating roughness to the linework that draws my eye. Dool's use of pen and ink captures the essence of immediacy. I'm interested in how the materials themselves contribute to this sketch-like feeling, a sort of artistic shorthand. Curator: Yes, it seems incomplete, yet very telling. Notice the faceless figures, each seemingly a boss of a dog—a subtle dig, perhaps, at societal structures? Editor: The canines are quite different in their rendering and the implications it has to how they were acquired and the means to obtain them. We have an interesting contrast set up there: one a polished pen drawing the other very roughly sketched and dark. Do you see what sort of comment it is making here on these implied pet and human social interactions? Curator: It's striking how the lack of facial detail universalizes the "boss" figures. The dog becomes a symbolic stand-in, mirroring aspects of their owners: compliance or wildness. Editor: Looking closely at the paper, it isn’t of great production value either. The lack of precious materials or detailed labor-intensive method invites reflection about accessible art forms appealing to the masses, yet holding powerful cultural critiques. Curator: The dark clouds looming behind the faceless authority figure create an atmosphere that feels almost foreboding, but then the light is right near what appears to be a child... what could this opposition imply here, do you think? Editor: Well, consider that childhood carries powerful connotations; you would agree then that its appearance there offers an equally thought-provoking juxtaposition. These stark choices certainly add to its resonating power. Curator: It gives me the shivers to think what sorts of encounter the artist may be getting at by the usage of symbols and stark contrasts to emphasize these emotional undertones, really powerful and effective in its composition overall, yes? Editor: It does spark contemplation about artistic creation itself. A very thought provoking, and ultimately, accessible work.