Voor het plakboek (9) 1865 - 1875

George Lodewijk Funke created this print, "Voor het plakboek (9)", in the Netherlands. The silhouettes capture scenes of everyday life, freezing moments imbued with the codes of conduct, expectations, and interactions of the time. Note the prevalence of animals. Dogs appear as loyal companions, echoing their symbolic role as guardians and hunters since antiquity. Horses carry riders with an air of command, reminiscent of equestrian statues that have historically signified power and authority. Even the humble goat suggests a connection to rural life, evoking pastoral scenes from classical art and literature. Consider how these motifs reappear throughout art history, evolving yet retaining echoes of their original associations. The image taps into a collective memory, engaging our subconscious understanding of social roles. The emotional resonance of these figures lies in their ability to conjure a bygone era, prompting a nostalgic connection to a shared cultural past. Ultimately, the silhouettes are not merely representations but vessels of cultural memory, cycling through time and adapting to each era's understanding of human interaction and social structure.