Kinderen spelen een tragedie 1785

Curator: This is "Children Spouting Tragedy," an engraving by Charles Howard Hodges from 1785. It currently resides here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: It’s immediately striking. Melancholy and theatrical. The monochromatic style enhances the sense of seriousness, yet it is of children... I am intrigued. Curator: The scene depicts a group of children deeply engrossed in play-acting a tragic drama, indicated by their costumes and poses, situated within what seems to be a makeshift stage modeled from a Neoclassical building facade. It speaks to the societal embrace of theatre and dramatic arts as educational tools. Notice how it leans into Neoclassical aesthetics in its pursuit of form. Editor: I’m drawn to the children's clothing: simple, draped garments reminiscent of ancient attire, almost like raw linen. It seems they're using what's available, turning everyday materials into costumes, driven by their imagination. There are some clothes scattered at the stairs that give this tragic scene a comical feeling Curator: The theatricality itself is crucial. Children engaging in such play reflects broader cultural values. Public discourse often centered around classical education, influencing the production and interpretation of art. Editor: The masks cast aside and the various fabrics imply a transformative process. How were prints such as this viewed at the time regarding consumption, material use? It is not only capturing a fleeting moment, but reflecting also how accessible art can be created. The materials are available to everyone to produce their own plays. Curator: Prints served multiple functions. They circulated ideas and tastes widely. It demonstrates also the public's hunger for narratives, for sentimental scenes that provoke emotion. This print taps into that market and speaks to a specific kind of viewership seeking moral instruction mingled with amusement. Editor: In our era we seem too rushed. What this print really speaks to is how materials that shape performance may have less worth than the creative thinking or imaginative power involved in its realization, right? Curator: Exactly. Hodges’ print bridges history and everyday life, high art and play. Editor: A thought-provoking glimpse into a past time indeed!