Ontwerp voor wandschildering in de Beurs van Berlage: De Matigheid 1869 - 1925

Curator: Here we have "Ontwerp voor wandschildering in de Beurs van Berlage: De Matigheid," a pencil drawing by Antoon Derkinderen created between 1869 and 1925. Editor: My initial impression is of stillness and a sense of restrained power. The figure's pose is simple, but the cascading lines of the drapery add dynamism. Curator: Indeed. Derkinderen clearly references classical iconography here, drawing upon a long history of representing virtues allegorically. The woman pouring from a ewer into a bowl embodies Temperance, or Moderation. The even, controlled flow is paramount. Editor: I see the formal control as well. The halo, though lightly sketched, suggests a contained, spiritual energy. The verticality emphasizes composure and restraint. What do you think of the figure's androgyny? Curator: That’s fascinating! The almost androgynous features suggest a universal, rather than gendered, application of the virtue. This isn’t about feminine meekness or masculine stoicism. It's about a balance that transcends social constructs, essential to any prosperous commercial venture like the Beurs van Berlage. Editor: That makes me reconsider the somewhat bland expression. Perhaps it reflects the sublimation of personal emotion in favor of reason and measured action. It’s about civic duty. Curator: Precisely! Notice how even the act of pouring—something that could be depicted with dramatic flair—is rendered with the utmost control. It suggests the need for self-control within the world of commerce, reminding all involved in financial exchange of fairness and just means. Editor: It also reminds me of Neoplatonic thought, where physical beauty reflects inner harmony and virtue, a kind of moral aesthetics made manifest. I do find the sketch-like nature of the drawing compelling, though. Curator: Me too, and despite it being a study rather than a finished work, the symbol is still powerfully present. It speaks volumes about how social virtues endure. Editor: I’ve certainly developed a greater respect for Derkinderen’s deliberate choices. What appears at first as plain and simple yields quite a wealth of conceptual depth and cultural insight!