Twee kinderkopjes c. 1773 - 1840

Editor: This print, "Twee kinderkopjes," or "Two Children's Heads," is an engraving from around 1773 to 1840, credited to Amalie Baader. It's quite charming, almost like a quick sketch capturing a moment of childlike wonder, or maybe contemplation. What strikes you when you look at it? Curator: It's interesting you say 'contemplation' – these portraits feel like snatched thoughts, ephemeral glimpses. They almost didn’t want to be made tangible. What’s intriguing is how Baader uses the intaglio technique – the delicate lines create soft, almost blurry edges, wouldn’t you say? Makes it feel more like a memory. Editor: Yes, the softness really makes it feel less formal and more intimate. I suppose that was the point, being a genre painting, which were common back then, weren't they? It's so focused on capturing just these two heads. Curator: Precisely! The genre scene elevates everyday life, making those fleeting, intimate moments eternal. And there’s a fascinating tension between the details that *are* there, like the texture of the hair and the softness of their skin, versus the absence of background, and their garments simply implied. Doesn’t it ask you to create their world yourself, fill in their lives? Editor: That’s a lovely point. I hadn’t thought about the implied as an invitation to participate. I get the impression of them being very cherubic, particularly because the style reminds me of the old masters. Curator: Mmh, like cherubs sent down from heaven... or putti! So many portraits of putti were commissioned at this time. The divine childhood incarnate was very trendy. What if instead it's something more personal – just like holding on to a half-remembered dream of childhood’s past? It makes one ponder what childhood once looked like. Editor: That really reframes how I see it. I was focused on its historical context, but thinking about it as a deeply personal reflection adds so much more depth. Curator: Indeed, that push and pull – the grand themes against the personal touch – is the essence of much art. Art like dreams are more about feeling rather than observation. So, let your emotions soar in appreciation of our artwork in the exhibition!