Schetsblad met studies van apen 1821 - 1891

Curator: Let's look closely at this piece titled "Schetsblad met studies van apen" by Guillaume Anne van der Brugghen. The work consists of pencil drawings on paper. Editor: There's such a charming quality to this sketchbook page! I see these numerous monkey sketches; it feels playful but also very precise. What do you see in this sheet, Professor? Curator: What I find most interesting is thinking about the production of the drawing itself. Brugghen chose to create numerous, varied studies of a single subject. It speaks volumes about the time afforded to artists, perhaps through patronage, to develop such skill through repetitive mark-making. Editor: Do you think it’s about mastering the representation? Curator: Partly, yes. But also consider the materiality of it. The paper, the pencil—these were commodities. How readily available were they, and to whom? This sheet isn't just a representation of monkeys; it's a document of access, skill acquired through labor, and the confluence of resources available to Brugghen. Where do you think these drawings are heading for? Is the labor just a labor of love or is it commercial at some stage? Editor: Interesting! I hadn't considered the paper and pencil themselves as commodities. I had only noticed their skill when rendering, or their aesthetic quality. That does add a layer to it. Curator: Exactly. And that's what focusing on the material brings us: to examine the networks of labor and commerce that produce the very images we consume as "art." It offers another perspective that focuses on not only aesthetic interpretation, but the whole socioeconomic context of production. Editor: I learned to look beyond the surface representation. Considering the material composition opens up the work in terms of labor and access. Thanks so much! Curator: Glad to have helped. It is so valuable to understand the context to help inform interpretations!