De vacantie in de hoeve 1894 - 1959

Editor: Okay, next up, we have "De vacantie in de hoeve," or "The Holiday in the Farm," a print made sometime between 1894 and 1959. It’s currently housed here at the Rijksmuseum. I find the overall style and the little story panels quite charming, like an old-fashioned comic strip. What do you see in this piece, what's your interpretation? Curator: It sings of simpler times, doesn't it? There’s a nostalgic quality, perhaps unintentional. I feel a narrative unfolding. The print is not merely illustrative but also serves as a playful commentary on the ups and downs of rural childhood. Notice how the artist juxtaposes moments of idyllic tranquility, like children listening to stories, with scenes of absolute chaos involving geese and cows. Almost a little wink from the past! Editor: A wink indeed! I guess this piece could also give context to the comic art and folk art. Those unruly geese got a chuckle out of me. There also seems to be like almost different vignettes that have a different energy to them, from gentle to frantic... was that a common format at the time? Curator: Absolutely! The format reflects a time when visual storytelling was evolving. It reminds me of the morality prints. Did the "holiday" go as planned or were these kids trouble since the beginning? Also, were there more adventures after their vacation ended? You can interpret this work, thinking like this, no? Editor: Good points! These kids have made it on Santa's Naughty list. Reflecting back on it, the narrative sequencing, like in comics, does add a layer. Plus, knowing these prints were fairly common highlights how universal these little mischievous and innocent moments are, right? Curator: Exactly! And art then, and today, is all about discovering yourself, no?