Verschillende voorstellingen c. 1828 - 1913

Curator: Right, let's have a look at "Verschillende voorstellingen," a print from Erve Wijsmuller dating from somewhere around 1828 to 1913. What springs to mind when you see it? Editor: It's just so...busy! Like a chaotic comic strip, or maybe a sheet of visual puns. It’s an engraving, so quite precise lines. There’s humor in these tiny scenes, but I can’t figure out what's really happening. What's your take? Curator: Haha, it's an alphabet soup, isn't it? It’s playing with caricature and genre painting; it is literally different representations. What’s fun for me is how deeply embedded in the culture it is referencing. If you were a viewer at the time, you would recognize so many references... the local gossip! Tell me, are there any figures that feel particularly pointed to you? Editor: Hmmm… That portly gentleman on the top left—is he somebody specific, do you think? Curator: Possibly! And those figures with flags behind? The magic of it lies there for me, how many little references could make people chuckle about common topics of conversation! There is a playful joy there. Editor: It’s clever! And kind of mad! Like an early form of meme culture – instant recognizable humor from shared knowledge. I like this. Curator: Exactly! We can enjoy the composition now without grasping every reference; however, back in the day, its main function must have been something along the lines of entertainment! Editor: True, knowing the "inside joke" would definitely have made it funnier. Thanks, this has been insightful. Curator: A great discussion; I now have a better appreciation for Erve Wijsmuller, thanks to you!