Spreekwoorden en gezegden 1827 - 1894

Curator: What a whimsical piece! At first glance, it reminds me of a beautifully cluttered dream. So many characters, so many scenarios packed onto one sheet of paper. It's titled *Spreekwoorden en gezegden*, which translates to Proverbs and Sayings, dating from sometime between 1827 and 1894. The artist, M. Hemeleers-van Houter, uses watercolor and paper to give us this collection of what I understand to be popular idioms and expressions. Editor: It's striking how visually organized it is. I can appreciate this as an art historian, especially considering its creation in the 19th century. Genre painting was popular. Everyday life getting the painting treatment, elevating the common to something worthy of artistic study. So, taking popular sayings and then visualizing them? Very clever and populist! Curator: Exactly! It's a visual feast for the curious mind. It looks like a game. Like you could learn all sorts of old truisms and colorful metaphors while having fun looking at these bizarrely-staged scenes. I almost feel I can jump into each of these tableaux like tiny stages! I love its quaint simplicity, it makes me giggle! Editor: Yes, there is definitely a charm to the naive drawing style and somewhat subdued color palette, the occasional vibrant patch of blue or yellow notwithstanding! Given that it's now housed in the Rijksmuseum, what sort of context can be teased out? Are we to read this as a social commentary? How does this piece negotiate between "high" art and folk art? Curator: Oh, I think it dances right on the line, that is exactly the beauty here. There is a visual harmony amidst the chaos, a gentle humor in depicting life lessons. Maybe Hemeleers-van Houter sought to create a piece accessible to a wider audience, a democratization of art that could inspire and entertain in equal measure. Editor: An intriguing idea. Food for further consideration indeed! Curator: Definitely worth pondering a while longer, thank you!