Huisvesten van de vreemdelingen 1625 - 1629

Curator: This detailed engraving, titled "Huisvesten van de vreemdelingen," which translates to "Housing the Strangers," was created by David Custos sometime between 1625 and 1629. You can currently find it here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: My first thought is that the Baroque aesthetic is striking, creating an ambiance with dramatic intensity, while the scene itself gives a sensation of intimacy. The scale makes this small world of hospitality so inviting. Curator: Baroque prints like this were frequently about conveying not just aesthetic qualities, but a message related to social behavior. Look closely at the foreground: The act of foot washing indicates the material service being performed for these travelers, highlighting a community built on care. This contrasts starkly with, perhaps, contemporary notions of borders and national identity. Editor: I see your point, but consider also the arrangement of figures, guiding your eye from the intimate foot-washing scene, through the archway, and upward toward the activities on the staircase. Compositionally, Custos creates these dynamic verticals against horizontals which is very appealing to the eye and really emphasizes its emotional gravity. Curator: Indeed, there is a narrative complexity achieved with a relatively simple etching process. However, consider where these prints were circulated; how they would shape ideas around charity and obligation for a specific viewing audience, influencing behavior in the real world. These are not just beautiful objects; they're instructions for living. Editor: Still, even if it's about social practice, consider how well it has stood the test of time. Despite it being centuries-old and made of simple etching materials, it remains a visually arresting piece. Curator: Absolutely, and by understanding the material and social world in which Custos created this piece, we can fully comprehend not only the depth of Baroque engraving but a snapshot into society, the act of generosity, the cultural expectations of that period. Editor: A very moving Baroque print, I agree, that makes you contemplate about the essence of welcoming strangers, which continues to resound through art to this very day.