Het brood 1856 - 1900

Editor: So, this is "Het Brood," or "The Bread," made sometime between 1856 and 1900 by Glenisson & Zonen. It's a printed graphic work that sort of resembles a comic strip, showing scenes of farming and harvesting. What catches my eye is how simply the scenes are rendered with limited colours; the horse rendered in only two colours, for example. How do you interpret this work? Curator: It’s fascinating how these seemingly simple images echo deeply ingrained cultural narratives. Consider the title, “The Bread.” Bread is hardly just food; it’s a symbol of sustenance, community, and even divinity across various cultures. The steps depicted - planting, harvesting, milling, baking – are a sort of sacred, repetitive cycle, isn't it? Editor: Yes, that’s a really good point! It almost elevates farming to a holy act! Curator: Exactly! And note the consistent presence of figures working together. What does that communal labor evoke for you? Do you think of similar scenes or stories? Editor: It makes me think of how essential working together used to be, the whole village raising a barn. Almost feels nostalgic now. Curator: Nostalgia is powerful. It binds us to a romanticised past, which becomes part of our cultural memory. This artwork then serves not only as a document but as a vessel carrying emotions related to simpler times. Consider how colour reinforces memory too. Are these really accurate depictions? No! But colour emphasises elements like crops or sky... What are your impressions overall? Editor: I now see how each image acts as a microcosm of much larger social values tied to production and sharing, each resonating deeply, like individual proverbs strung together to remind us where basic elements of life like daily bread really come from! Curator: Indeed. It’s about far more than just sustenance, isn't it? It's also about shared memories, labor and value.