Duifjes en Willemyntjes pelgrimagie. 1761 - 1804

Curator: This print, "Duifjes en Willemyntjes pelgrimagie," from sometime between 1761 and 1804, comes to us from the Erven de Weduwe Jacobus van Egmont. It's an engraving held in the Rijksmuseum collection. I’m struck by its narrative structure, almost like a series of comic panels. Editor: My initial impression is one of folk humor. Despite the rather grim details of some scenes, there's a definite playful tone emanating from this little printed page. Curator: Narrative prints like these were incredibly popular forms of visual communication. Disseminated widely, they functioned much like the news or entertainment we consume today, but also as tools to instruct. They provided social commentary packaged into a form for a broader audience than texts typically reached. Editor: Indeed. Looking at these panels, I am seeing common themes from folklore and even religious allegory. The perils of the pilgrimage, for example, are rich in Christian symbolism of sacrifice and redemption. Yet, juxtaposed are panels of drinking and mishaps that give it an earthy humor. Note, the panel of a character being led to slaughter but in others being offered fine clothing and rich feasts. The juxtaposition sends mixed signals to the viewer. Curator: What do you make of that? Is this a subversion or satire? We know Dutch printmakers enjoyed taking a jab at social conventions of the era. Is this pointing out a certain hypocrisy prevalent at the time? Is there a lesson or warning here? Editor: The artist juxtaposes reverence with foolishness and struggle with ease to provoke thought around what values we give credence to and if it brings happiness. If anything, this offers a mirror to consider our choices instead of presenting any right answers. Curator: These types of pieces offer a lens into a moment in time. Socially relevant art holds its value, not always aesthetically but to open us up to interpretation based on society. Editor: Yes. Even in the darkest scenes, there’s light, and that says something about our enduring spirit for play.