Drinkende boeren 1859 - 1916

Editor: This engraving is called "Drinkende Boeren," or "Drinking Farmers," attributed to Wilhelm Wörnle, made sometime between 1859 and 1916. It gives such a vivid glimpse into a social scene. What do you see in this piece that I might be missing? Curator: I see a document of material conditions and social ritual. Consider the production of the print itself: engraving as a means of reproducing and distributing images to a wider audience. This brings art to the people, so to speak. What kind of audience might have consumed this image? Editor: Perhaps the middle class, interested in romanticized views of rural life? Curator: Precisely. Now, look at what’s being depicted: the farmers, their clothing, the objects they're using to drink, possibly the drink itself... It points to their economic status and the materials available to them. Editor: So you’re saying that their lives are defined and shaped by the material objects around them? Curator: Yes, and also by the labor that produces those objects. It's worth considering how such an image could have influenced ideas of labor and class in its time. The labor that goes into not only making art but producing that way of life as well. Editor: I see now. It's more than just a genre painting. It reflects production, labor, and social class – not just what they’re doing, but how and why. Curator: Exactly. Thinking about the relationship between art, labor and economy unveils unseen meanings and power structures within a seemingly simple image. Editor: This reframes my entire view. Thanks for revealing those insights!