December 1679 - 1704

Editor: So, this is "December," an etching by Cornelis Dusart, created somewhere between 1679 and 1704. It's a busy scene, figures struggling against what I assume is winter weather. The mood seems harsh, maybe a little comical too? What catches your eye in this piece? Curator: Ah, Dusart's "December," a true glimpse into Dutch Golden Age life, or at least a particular perspective on it! I'm drawn to the raw energy. Those aren't just figures struggling, but characters—each with their own implied story. Notice how the artist used etching to create textures that evoke both the biting wind and the heavy clothing. I almost feel like I can hear the whoosh of the wind in that dark sky... but I wonder, what does the December weather make you *feel*? Editor: Cold, definitely! And a bit… chaotic? I see people slipping and struggling, but they also seem bundled up, like they’re used to it. Is this meant to be funny? Curator: Perhaps, or maybe a bit ironic. Daily life, even in hardship, has its routines. Think about the details: the bundled clothes, the determined expressions. Does that chaos, to your eye, overshadow the…humor? Because for me, Dusart captured not just the struggle, but a stubborn resilience. Editor: I guess I see both now. The figures do seem determined, despite the obvious discomfort. The… resilience helps. I hadn't considered that. Curator: That’s the beauty of art, isn’t it? We bring our own "weather" to the experience. This etching is now as much your reading of it, as Dusart’s initial creation. Editor: Right. Looking at it again, it feels less like a simple, cold struggle and more like a…celebration of surviving winter? Thanks! Curator: Precisely. Consider also what "December" might represent beyond the literal: the ending of a cycle, the preparation for renewal… art always invites new journeys.