Huizen c. 1879

Editor: Here we have Philip Zilcken's "Huizen," created around 1879. It's a watercolor and drawing on paper. I’m really drawn to how the muted colors give it a somewhat melancholic feeling. The brushstrokes feel almost… utilitarian, focused on capturing form rather than beauty, and that intrigues me. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I’m interested in the material reality represented. The crumbling facades, captured with watercolor, speak to the labor invested in these structures and the eventual decay inherent in material objects. Notice the swift execution and how it mirrors the realities of plein-air work; the artist grappling with light, atmosphere, and the fleeting moment under pressure to transcribe as much of the environment into his sketch, directly onto paper. Editor: So, you're saying that the sketch style highlights the work conditions or how quick and temporal those are, instead of focusing on romantic views. Curator: Exactly! Consider what this choice of medium – paper, watercolor – and the plein-air approach says about art production at that time. Was this a preparatory sketch for a larger, more “important” work? Or does the act of direct, on-site observation elevate it? Also, who inhabited these buildings and who benefited from the labor of their construction and maintenance? Are we, the consumers of the art, partaking in appreciation of aesthetic beauty only or do we see past it to acknowledge the laboring classes in Dutch society at the time? Editor: I hadn't considered it that way before, but it makes me think about the role of the artist and what part materials, production, and social context play. Thanks! Curator: Indeed, analyzing "Huizen" beyond its surface opens it up to discussions of materiality, production, and societal forces that shape both art and lived experiences. It is a conversation to have as we walk away from this art piece.