Studies van ezels en een muildier op de Grote Markt te Tanger 1902

Editor: This drawing by Jac van Looij from 1902, "Studies of Donkeys and a Mule in the Grand Socco, Tangier," utilizes both pastel and pencil. It feels like a quick, intimate glimpse into daily life. What stands out to you? Curator: I'm immediately drawn to the symbolic weight of these working animals, particularly in a transitional space like the market square. Donkeys and mules, throughout history, have carried not only physical burdens, but also represented humility, patience, even stubbornness in folklore. What narratives might they carry in Tangier at the turn of the century, a place of so much cultural exchange? Editor: That’s fascinating, I hadn't thought of them as anything more than…animals. The drawing style feels almost detached, clinical. Curator: Look closer at the way van Looij captures their posture. The slumped shoulders, the lowered heads. What emotions are evoked by that body language, regardless of the animal species? Think about the weight of colonial power, trade, and the burdens borne by those often unseen or unacknowledged. Editor: So, you’re saying these donkeys might symbolize the labor and unseen efforts of the people living in Tangier during that time? Curator: Potentially. The 'Grand Socco' itself, then as now, functions as a gathering place and marketplace, each animal here is a key player. This artwork makes you reflect upon what histories are written and whose aren't. What do you think? Editor: I guess it changes the way I see them. It isn't just a snapshot of animals, it becomes a study about the cultural values connected with everyday working life in Morocco. Curator: Precisely! A simple image, but full of cultural depth once you know how to approach it. Editor: It certainly gives me a fresh appreciation for art's role in preserving stories. Thank you.