Vijf flamingo's 1884 - 1952

Editor: So, here we have “Vijf flamingo’s” – “Five Flamingos” – a black and white woodcut on paper, dating from 1884 to 1952, by Reinier Willem Petrus de Vries. It’s surprisingly simple, almost stark, in its depiction. It evokes a feeling of quiet contemplation to me. What do you see in this piece, from your perspective? Curator: For me, it feels like a visual haiku – capturing the essence of these elegant creatures with remarkable economy. The limited palette emphasizes form and posture. These flamingos aren't just birds; they are expressions of balance and grace amidst the mundane. And aren't we all seeking that equilibrium, wading through life's shallows, heads sometimes buried, sometimes raised? Editor: I like that description: a visual haiku. The limited detail definitely makes you focus on the forms. Why flamingos, do you think? Is there any particular symbolism? Curator: Flamingos are fascinating creatures, often associated with beauty, balance, and flamboyance, qualities easily romanticized and yearned for in harsh realities. De Vries offers them as both an escape and a mirror – look, even such vibrant beings spend much of their time standing around. The print being a woodcut is itself interesting, imbuing it with a somewhat coarse, handmade feel which contradicts and thus emphasizes the natural grace of the flamingoes. What do you make of that contrast? Editor: That’s a great point. The woodcut gives it this very grounded, almost rough quality that throws the flamingos' elegance into sharper relief. So, is the artist inviting us to find beauty even in rough realities? Curator: Perhaps! Art, at its heart, is often an invitation to such contemplation. And the best art whispers possibilities, it doesn't shout certainties. What possibilities do these silent flamingos suggest to *you* now? Editor: Hmm, I think they invite a kind of stillness and mindful awareness – like a little visual meditation on the beauty of simplicity and survival. Curator: Yes! And that's a beauty we all hold the power to discover, simply by opening our eyes. It is a profound notion indeed!