De vader van de kunstenaar 1916 - 1947

Editor: This is “The Artist’s Father,” a mixed media drawing by Emilius Wilhelmus Dehé, dating between 1916 and 1947. It’s quite dark, a study in grey really. There's a figure there, holding what appears to be a violin, but the limited contrast makes it almost ghostly. How do you interpret this work? Curator: Well, considering its date range, spanning both World Wars, and that it is a portrait of the artist's father, I am drawn to consider the emotional undertones tied to family lineage and the societal disruption of those times. Think about it, what does it mean to portray one’s father during periods marked by intense loss, shifting social structures, and changing family dynamics? Editor: That’s interesting. So you see it as a reflection on generational trauma and perhaps the weight of expectations? Curator: Exactly! And beyond that, look at the use of mixed media, the contrast... it obscures as much as it reveals. Doesn’t this make you think about how memory functions, especially during times of upheaval? The 'father' here seems less an individual and more of a fading archetype. Editor: It does give me a lot to consider in relation to that era, more than if it were just a clear portrait. Thank you. Curator: My pleasure. Perhaps it also allows us to reflect on our contemporary understanding of family and history through a critical, intersectional lens. Art is a powerful tool for challenging and reframing these narratives.