Draaimolen c. 1897 - 1898

Curator: This is Willem de Zwart's "Draaimolen," an etching made circa 1897-1898. What stands out to you most about this particular print? Editor: Well, initially, there's a quiet stillness despite the implied movement of the carousel. The tonal range created by the etching process is so limited that it makes everything feel rather muted, even dreamlike. Curator: The effect of the etching indeed contributes significantly to the overall aesthetic. Look closely at how de Zwart employs line weight and density. The cross-hatching, particularly in the figures, suggests form and volume through tonal variation. Editor: Absolutely. It’s almost a journalistic snapshot capturing the lower classes at leisure; carousels such as this popped up around Europe and America from the mid-1800s onwards, demonstrating industrial ingenuity that offered a fantasy world to the urban population. I do wonder who these particular figures might be. The stern paternal figures standing behind their children suggest the emerging middle classes and perhaps upward social mobility. Curator: Intriguing. What do you make of how the architecture frames the scene, as the building rises in the background and then curves in tandem with the lines of the carousel? Editor: The implied geometries are cleverly subtle and that curved edge on the roundabout emphasizes how space is enclosed. De Zwart is not merely rendering a scene; he is using form to explore the interplay between social and mechanical realms. The wheel as a philosophical and societal concept, the family unit, etc. Curator: Precisely! Furthermore, by experimenting with impressionistic techniques like etching and its textural richness, de Zwart engages with the contemporary trends of the period and suggests some dynamism through implied texture that enlivens the composition. Editor: The historical context enriches the art, and the formal elements bring history to life! Thank you for taking me back to 19th century Netherlands! Curator: And thank you. The artwork yields new observations each time we revisit.