Domi Manere 1869 - 1925

Editor: This is "Domi Manere" by Antoon Derkinderen, probably created between 1869 and 1925, a drawing using watercolor and ink on paper. I'm really drawn to the muted tones and how it evokes the imagery of medieval manuscripts. What's your interpretation of this piece? Curator: Considering Derkinderen's background, this piece feels particularly concerned with the act of production and its historical context. The choice of watercolor and ink, reminiscent of medieval illuminated manuscripts, isn't arbitrary. It speaks to a deliberate engagement with the labor-intensive processes of the past. Editor: I see that. The faux-medieval style seems very deliberate. Curator: Exactly. We should also consider the materials themselves – the paper, the pigments – and how their availability and perceived value changed over time. It asks, what labor went into creating the very object we see here? How does this drawing reproduce earlier craft techniques? Editor: It's fascinating to think about the social implications, not just the aesthetic qualities. It seems almost a critique of mass production through its handmade appearance. Curator: Precisely. The deliberate revival of historical techniques serves to highlight the inherent value and skill diminished by industrial modes of production. Editor: I never considered the actual making of the piece that deeply. That the materials and production choices could make an argument by themselves. Curator: Paying attention to the materials reveals so much more about the artwork's intentions and embedded cultural values. I’m glad to see a younger audience think through making and production this way.