Drie zittende beren 1906 - 1945

Curator: Ah, here we have a sketch titled "Drie zittende beren," or "Three Seated Bears," dating from sometime between 1906 and 1945, currently held here at the Rijksmuseum. It’s rendered in pencil on paper. What's your first impression? Editor: Whimsical! They're so...squishy looking. Like they're made of soft clay and someone gave them a gentle pat. I love the light pencil work; it’s so tentative. Makes me want to pick up a pencil myself and see what wobbly creatures I can conjure. Curator: Absolutely, it has a delightful informality. This sketch offers a glimpse into the artist’s creative process. The sketch quality gives it a rawness you rarely see in finished works. These are bears captured in a moment of exploration, perhaps a personal sketchbook study? Editor: Precisely. And the toned paper adds to the sense of intimacy, like discovering a secret kept for decades. It feels very different from a formal painting, more immediate and direct. I imagine the artist pausing, observing, then quickly sketching their interpretation. Curator: Yes, that quality is very important when thinking about this piece. One gets a feel for not only what’s drawn but also for the kind of hand movements, maybe the overall mood, of the artist sketching them. How the act of sketching perhaps provides insight into something more than the bears as images. Editor: It certainly brings up the public's fascination with sketches as artworks unto themselves. How often do we consider an artwork like this when thinking about what gets included in museums? What makes it “complete” or worthy of exhibition? This seems so personal. Curator: These are excellent questions! Museums must negotiate questions of intent. Is it a complete idea, even if rendered quickly and intimately? I would wager that by acquiring something so obviously from a sketchbook, museums expand their idea of “the artwork.” Editor: Definitely something to mull over! It’s a lovely little piece, one that speaks volumes about artistic experimentation. Curator: Indeed. A beautiful example of how a simple sketch can spark such thought and fascination.