Wat Gerrit overkwam 1876 - 1890

This lithograph, titled 'Wat Gerrit overkwam', meaning 'What Happened to Gerrit', was created by Rougeran Vignerot in the late 19th century. The sequence of images, much like a comic strip, offers a satirical view on artistic creation. We see a young boy, perhaps an aspiring artist, whose attempts to paint are constantly thwarted, eventually leading to him being scolded. Made in a time when art education was becoming more formalized, the print could be commenting on the challenges faced by young artists seeking recognition and success in a rapidly changing art world, perhaps suggesting that the rigid structures of the art world might stifle genuine creativity. To fully understand its message, we can investigate the popular imagery and social commentary prevalent in the late 19th century. By exploring period publications, exhibition reviews, and artists' manifestos, we can gain a deeper understanding of the cultural debates that shaped this artwork. The meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.