Portret van de vader van de kunstenaar met viool 1896 - 1947

Editor: This is Emilius Wilhelmus Dehé’s "Portrait of the Artist’s Father with Violin," made between 1896 and 1947, using pencil and print. The textures created through the printing process give it such a unique look, and it feels very intimate, like a candid glimpse into a personal moment. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The violin speaks to me first. Think of its shape, held close to the body, resonating with the heartbeat. Consider what that implies for the father. What emotional or cultural narratives are being conveyed by him cradling this instrument, this extension of himself? It almost becomes a biographical note about his person. Editor: That's a lovely thought. I was mainly just looking at his expression. Curator: And what does it convey to you? Is it a moment of rest, reflection? Perhaps, think about it from a Freudian perspective. The father image holding tight onto his extension, this object with such prominent curves. There's something being represented of legacy and identity through these forms and materials. Don't you see a connection here, that tells you more about the values the artist holds dear? Editor: I never thought of it that way, that is a compelling interpretation! It makes me wonder how the father’s role as a musician shaped the artist’s world. Curator: Precisely! We’ve touched upon the instrument's emotional weight, but also the artistic inheritance, the passing down of skill and passion. These kinds of visual connections reveal so much about family dynamics, don't you agree? Editor: Yes, I see how focusing on symbols helps unravel layers of meaning. Curator: Always consider how objects transcend their physical presence. By observing such visual keys, the symbolic language being communicated offers glimpses into the artists innermost emotions.