De gevolgen der gulzigheid 1894 - 1959

Editor: So, here we have “The Consequences of Gluttony” by Gordinne, made sometime between 1894 and 1959. It's a print, kind of like a comic strip. The cautionary tale unfolds in these little vignettes, and the poor kid, Willem, ends up on a stretcher in the end! What do you make of the narrative presented in this piece? Curator: Willem certainly goes on a journey, doesn't he? The story tumbles along panel by panel. Each scene a consequence. And, the thing about consequences is, well, they don't arrive alone. There's this layering, one misfortune breeding the next, until it all snowballs. Tell me, looking at it now, does it feel like the humor cushions the blow, or does the inevitable crash just become...sad? Editor: I see what you mean. It starts with innocent treats, right? Buying sweets, riding toys... but then overdoing it leads to stomach aches, and eventually, complete collapse! The humour is definitely dark! Curator: Dark humor is often the tastiest, isn't it? Like a bittersweet chocolate, a treat with a bite. But looking at these scenes, I wonder about excess itself. Willem wants, Willem gets, Willem suffers. Isn't that the dance we all do, chasing after some satisfaction? This isn't just about food, is it? What do you think Gordinne wanted us to take away? Editor: So, not just the literal “don’t eat too much”, but maybe, "know your limits"? Applying to life, you mean? That's a heavy thought to hang on a simple comic strip. Curator: Exactly. That single thread runs throughout the work. Perhaps Gordinne is prompting us towards temperance? It has more facets than the gem cutter might first have shown us! It just means "hold everything lightly." So, yes. It really makes you think.