Allerlei vrienden 1903 - 1919

Curator: Looking at this work, titled "Allerlei Vrienden," which roughly translates to "Various Friends," created by Arie Willem Segboer between 1903 and 1919 using mixed-media printmaking techniques, I am immediately struck by a sense of childhood innocence and a slightly unsettling feeling that all is not as simple as it seems. Editor: Unsettling is the word. While ostensibly depicting the bond between children and animals, there's a definite strangeness here. The orangutan feels particularly out of place, an almost colonial-era curiosity thrust into an image of domestic bliss. What do you read in it? Curator: For me, the orangutan, for example, functions as a shadow, reflecting perhaps a less 'civilized' or controlled aspect of human nature. Note its contrast with the young girl who clings to it, seeking comfort, much as the child in the center seeks affection from her pug. This speaks to our primal connection to nature, and the ways we domesticate and 'befriend' aspects of the wild. Editor: And what about the image itself as a cultural artifact? These prints were clearly aimed at children, influencing their understanding of the world and their relationship to animals. Is this simply promoting kindness to animals, or reinforcing certain social structures, perhaps related to class and colonial attitudes? The assortment feels incredibly staged. Curator: It's a didactic piece, for sure, instilling values of care, but simultaneously imposing a worldview. Consider the stylistic variations as well, hinting at diverse influences – from naturalism to almost cartoonish portrayals, shaping the child's perception of how these animals ‘ought’ to be viewed and treated within the societal norms. It is fascinating to consider how prints like these informed the relationship between humans and animals in the early 20th century. Editor: Absolutely, these weren't just images; they were carefully constructed narratives designed to mold young minds. It invites consideration about who got to decide which friends were featured and how this selection furthered certain ideologies of friendship, belonging, and even control. It really provides an early view into how social roles get imposed. Curator: Precisely, and what seems whimsical on the surface unveils much more profound and potent currents of culture, psychology, and society upon closer contemplation. Editor: Indeed. A seemingly simple children's print turns out to be quite a complex mirror reflecting its era's social landscape.