Two Floating Joists c. 17th century

Curator: Allart van Everdingen's etching, "Two Floating Joists," pulls us into a serene, almost forgotten corner of 17th-century life. Editor: It feels like a sketch from a dream, a quick note of a memory—though it speaks of toil. The roughness of the structures almost feels like a deliberate comment. Curator: Indeed, Everdingen seems to be highlighting the labor involved in forestry and lumber at the time. Look at the way he renders the wood—you can almost feel the weight. Editor: The materiality is palpable. It’s not just about floating joists; it's about the whole process. The felling, the transport... the labor to make something like this possible. Curator: And, of course, the figures poling the logs suggest how connected Dutch prosperity was to these resources. Editor: It asks us to consider what is often unseen. I find that quite moving. Curator: Absolutely, there's a poignant quality to that quiet, industrious moment. Editor: A reminder to see the working hands that shape our world.