1, 2, buckle my shoe Pl 1 1869

Curator: Here we have "1, 2, buckle my shoe Pl 1," a print from 1869 by Walter Crane. It depicts a domestic scene with children, referencing the well-known nursery rhyme. What are your first thoughts? Editor: Well, the first thing that strikes me is the emphasis on routine, and the steps, processes, required in just leaving the house! Shoe-buckling as labor... It has a kind of charming monotony. Curator: I see what you mean. It's like a glimpse into the contained drama of childhood, those little rituals we forget. The rhyme itself imposes a sense of order, doesn't it? One thing then another and eventually that open door to possibilities. I wonder what they see on the other side. Editor: Definitely, the nursery rhyme paired with the visible process reminds me that even 'play' has an industrial element to it. And then I can't help but think of the production itself - printing presses, paper, ink. How were such materials accessible and affordable at this point? Who was producing, buying, and consuming art? Curator: Absolutely. The proliferation of prints allowed art to enter homes more easily, sparking the imaginations of a wider audience, children specifically. The detail and care put into this piece show that the maker esteemed a child's perspective, thought it valid and worthwhile to depict. The use of the rhyme as framework seems a very astute, thoughtful and even kind process. Editor: And each part is clearly demarcated – the buckling of shoes, opening the door…a fragmented process we consume and reenact in the form of play. How much easier was production during this time period, and how was it affecting society in turn? It's all layered together here. Curator: Yes, I like your reading a lot. It is less about spontaneous joy and more about the steady acquisition of the everyday experiences. One that may make joy possible at the end, though only if one keeps going. Editor: Well, for me, it highlights labor and routine within and outside of the household. Curator: And for me, a subtle reminder that childhood can be its own sort of journey into larger life if the steps are right and taken patiently.