Schets van een aquarium met vissen 1876 - 1924

Curator: Let's turn our attention to this intriguing sketch. It’s titled "Schets van een aquarium met vissen," or "Sketch of an Aquarium with Fish," by Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof. The work is held here at the Rijksmuseum, created sometime between 1876 and 1924, rendered in pencil on paper. Editor: It feels like peering into a secret world, doesn't it? There’s a whimsical quality to the drawing, almost childlike, yet also with an intensity in the close observation of form. Curator: Dijsselhof was very involved in the Dutch art scene and in thinking about design and societal engagement with art. Consider how aquariums became increasingly popular during this period, representing a sort of contained nature, bringing exotic life into the domestic sphere, which may be relevant. Editor: Absolutely, the idea of contained nature. I’m thinking about how these early aquariums, or even the popularization of goldfish bowls, changed our relationship with aquatic life. Was it really about appreciation, or more about control? There's something deeply symbolic in taking the 'wild' and putting it on display. What narrative about humanity and its relationship with the environment might Dijsselhof have been engaging with? Curator: I'd argue that, based on the artist’s broader intentions, there is an intention to call people into a dialogue, perhaps an interrogation of this human desire to dominate and collect. The delicate lines feel almost tentative. There is a sensitivity here, not simply exploitation. It could be seen as an early ecological statement about human impact. Editor: It raises some key questions regarding art's function and political charge during periods of increasing ecological consciousness. By depicting an aquarium, does Dijsselhof critique or celebrate this artificial ecosystem? I find this dialogue to be very much alive in this subtle artwork. Curator: Well, it’s a complex drawing, isn't it? Presenting multiple layers. There's an undeniable beauty here, but the questions you raise are vital. Thank you for highlighting such an important perspective on this work.