Floskaartjes 1781 - 1821

Curator: Alright, let's dive in! What are your first impressions? Editor: We’re looking at “Floskaartjes” by Jan Hendriksen, made between 1781 and 1821. It's an engraving, so a print on paper. I'm immediately struck by the grid of characters. They feel like figures from a deck of cards or a very old board game. How would you interpret this work? Curator: You're spot on about the card game vibe. I see it as a glimpse into a structured 18th-century worldview, a playful attempt to classify society through archetypes and professions. Think of each character as a carefully defined role within a community. But look closer… the images are also incredibly flat, aren’t they? Like paper dolls enacting a historical drama. Editor: Yes, almost like a social hierarchy laid out in a game format. Who is the target audience and could you maybe explain the themes explored here? Curator: Most likely children from affluent Dutch families, using it as an entertaining educational tool! This work merges game design with social commentary, encapsulating notions of class, labour, and life itself. There's the king, the craftsman, life, and… death! See the figure with the scythe? All essential elements to the early 1800s way of living. It sparks interesting questions about how people viewed social structures and how those views are formed through the art consumed during youth. What new detail do you see after this chat? Editor: Now I notice each is numbered - implying importance and a ranked hierarchy... which brings a whole new meaning to ‘playing’ society. Fascinating how a seemingly simple print holds such depth! Thanks for shedding light on it. Curator: Absolutely! Art often whispers its secrets if you listen closely, don’t you think?