Koffie- en theeservies op een dienblad 1869 - 1890

Curator: This work, created between 1869 and 1890, is titled "Koffie- en theeservies op een dienblad"—"Coffee and Tea Service on a Tray." It's a drawing in graphite, signed by Eduard Niermans. Editor: It’s…restrained, almost austere. All that shiny silver rendered in graphite; there's a quiet dignity to it. Feels very Dutch, somehow. Curator: Realism as a movement coincided with immense social and economic change in Europe. Consider the rise of the bourgeoisie, industrialisation and the new demands that were put on everyday life. Silverware signified status but drawings of such objects democratised the image for the rising middle class. Editor: Right, it’s like, “aspirational art” for the Instagram age, minus the filter. Except it’s all exquisitely rendered in pencil. I am looking at how the light catches the curves. Curator: It reflects more than just light. Think about class aspirations embedded in the meticulous rendering of these luxury objects, and how they intersected with rapidly shifting social values. Tea, coffee… beverages central to the colonial project that accrued wealth, but here distilled into an artistic object, removed from its controversial history. Editor: So we’re sipping privilege with our imaginary tea then? Even though it looks more like charcoal. But that contrast is what I love! The heavy material against the ethereal rendering makes a comment of the object. The artist almost feels conflicted? It feels critical to me. Curator: Your intuitive reading offers a valuable interpretation of how these pieces of art should still make us feel uncomfortable as their imagery represents wealth and power at a time that they where highly unbalanced. I value that emotional link as a good method to explore what things are in display, how and why. Editor: Well, looking at these ordinary-precious items gives me some to work with in my art piece and I do like what you brought to my own impression too!