Komt kinders wilt hier uyt leeren dan / De tijd verstreken daar is de man 1767 - 1793

Editor: This is "Komt kinders wilt hier uyt leeren dan / De tijd verstreken daar is de man," a print from between 1767 and 1793, currently held at the Rijksmuseum. Looking at the etching and engraving, I'm struck by the storytelling aspect. There's so much going on in a single scene. What narratives do you think this image is trying to convey through its figures and symbols? Curator: Indeed! The beauty of works like these lies in their density of symbolic language. Notice the central figure, the lavishly dressed woman. How does her attire contrast with the figures approaching her from either side? Editor: Well, her clothes are much fancier. Those other figures are plainer, some look old and weary, like they’ve come a long way to see her. It’s a real contrast. Curator: Precisely. Think of the time this was made: the Dutch Golden Age was waning, societal values shifting. The elegant woman represents worldly pursuits, perhaps wealth or vanity. And what of the figures approaching? Consider what they might symbolize given the title about time passing. Are there archetypes at play here? Editor: You're suggesting that the figures embody the fleeting nature of time? So perhaps old age, experience... maybe even death approaching youth? Curator: Exactly. The print serves as a 'memento mori,' a reminder of mortality, encouraging viewers to reflect on their lives and the choices they make. The figures represent life’s stages. It's interesting how the image also encapsulates broader anxieties of a society grappling with change. Editor: It’s amazing how much visual language is packed into this one print. It feels very relevant, a dialogue with mortality and societal shifts is very interesting, actually! Curator: I find this type of imagery very telling: We can delve into the beliefs, fears, and hopes of people long gone.