Rembrandt: Den gamle kone 1870 - 1923

Editor: Here we have "Rembrandt: Den gamle kone," dating roughly from 1870 to 1923, currently residing at the SMK in Copenhagen. It's a print, likely an engraving. It has a somewhat somber, reflective mood. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Beyond the striking realism of the etching, it’s impossible not to consider the socio-political role of portraiture in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Realism became popular following a century of artwork that had a primary goal of idealism. Now artists like this began making their focus of the world as it truly was. This allowed all parts of society to find art that reflected their reality. Do you think the social class of this woman played a part in the popularity of it in that period? Editor: That's fascinating! It makes me wonder if the common folk of that time were drawn to it because it was finally a relatable view in artwork for them. Curator: Exactly. Museums, becoming more accessible to the public, began exhibiting art that reflected the lives of ordinary people. This shifted the art world to reflect modernism where reality could be portrayed openly and the wealthy no longer dominated its subject matter. Now considering the techniques in creating art were being passed around to people of all classes and means for life, what is one element that someone would commonly reflect that would also draw this common viewership to the artist? Editor: Hmm, maybe they'd reflect a common interest for creating social connection by displaying an accurate representation of normal people, like in a newspaper! Curator: Precisely! By providing works with such relatable character, these museums became pillars of this representation, something we still strive for today. I suppose what strikes me is realizing how the democratization of art changed subject matters in that period, what about you? Editor: I will certainly remember it for the impact it has on my social views! Thanks for your perspective!