Driekoningenfeest 1847 - 1889

Editor: Here we have William Unger's "Driekoningenfeest", or "Three Kings Feast", etched sometime between 1847 and 1889. It looks like a chaotic party scene, lots of figures packed into a small space. The woman collapsing into a chair immediately draws my eye. What story do you think is being told here? Curator: Oh, this etching really crackles with the joy of tradition, doesn’t it? The “Three Kings Feast,” or Epiphany, was a big deal – and still is in some places! Imagine, everyone crammed into a cozy room, the air thick with the aroma of spiced wine and sweet treats. Notice the "king" designated in the composition! Editor: Yes, I see it! The scene feels so lively! Curator: Unger captures this almost palpable sense of merriment, with his own spin and artistic licence. This scene presents itself as both orderly and anarchic. Does that strike you as well? Editor: Definitely chaotic. There is so much happening with many overlapping figures! I love that there's even a dog getting in on the fun. It really amplifies the energy of the image. Curator: Absolutely! You know, it’s funny how these little glimpses into the past can make you feel both connected and distant. We share these celebrations, this desire for connection, but the customs... they evolve, get tweaked, fall out of fashion! Editor: That's true, the way that a specific event that occurred on one day is still accessible so long after, through the artist. It’s almost dreamlike to be given such an experience through Unger's eyes. Curator: Dreamlike is spot on. It invites a beautiful, timeless dance, a continuous conversation, that we now become a part of as well.