Menigte 1952 - 2005

Editor: So here we have Aat Verhoog’s ‘Menigte,’ created between 1952 and 2005. It’s an ink drawing, currently residing here at the Rijksmuseum. The detail is incredible. It almost feels like a political cartoon. What strikes you about this work? Curator: Well, considering the materials, ink on paper, we need to consider the reproducibility. Was this intended to be widely distributed, to provoke a mass reaction? The social context, spanning the post-war era to the beginning of the 21st century, must inform how we see it. Look at the figures—are they consumers, workers, protesters? What can their exaggerated forms tell us about the artist's commentary on the masses? Editor: That's fascinating. I hadn't really considered the medium as it relates to distribution. Do you think the lack of color adds to the seriousness of the subject? Curator: Not necessarily seriousness, but starkness. Black and white evokes the printing press, mass media, propaganda even. It strips away the individual and presents a unified message – for good or ill. What message do you believe the artist wanted to share about this "Menigte," or Crowd? Is this crowd acting as individuals, or part of a whole? Editor: That's a good question...It feels more like a statement on collective action, or perhaps the loss of individuality within a group. Thanks, seeing it through a materialist lens makes me rethink its purpose and impact. Curator: Exactly! By considering the means of production and the context of its creation, we move beyond simply appreciating the aesthetic to understanding the art as a product of its time, engaging with the social and political landscape.