Vader met twee kinderen 1777 - 1779

Curator: Oh, I adore this drawing! "Father with Two Children," a pen and ink sketch made between 1777 and 1779, is attributed to Pieter de Mare. It's currently held here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: There’s a tenderness, a raw affection sketched into those lines. I like the father’s gait. It's slightly awkward, isn’t it? He's walking, trying to manage two kids...it’s a very real moment. Curator: It certainly captures a quotidian scene. Genre painting was quite popular at this time and often touched on the themes of domesticity and the nuclear family in a quickly-urbanizing Holland. Look at how the children are individualized. Editor: The baby in his arms is clearly fascinated with whatever it's holding, that sort of wonky homemade toy. It feels almost voyeuristic, peeking into a quiet afternoon. Curator: The artist uses line weight so well here. Thick strokes to define the father's robust form, much lighter for the delicate features of the children. It adds to this sense of both groundedness and ephemeral beauty. Editor: I think, perhaps, there's a wistful quality, maybe even tinged with a bit of melancholy? The father seems preoccupied, almost burdened, but undeniably loving. Or am I just projecting *my* anxieties about parenthood here? Curator: Well, the late 18th century was also a time of massive social upheaval. Perhaps De Mare intended for a socio-political commentary? The contrast between idealized domestic life and the looming pressures of war could easily play a role in a piece of this nature. Editor: It just proves art often gives us more questions than answers, doesn't it? For me, it’s less about political commentary and more about the fleeting beauty of everyday moments. Life keeps walking onward, even while the kids keep on keeping us occupied. Curator: I agree. Even though the Romantics valued emotional expression above most things, they often saw it in connection with specific cultural and political anxieties. Perhaps De Mare wished for a synthesis between family, faith and Fatherland, but only wanted to depict it via a commonplace interaction, which really broadens this work's appeal, don't you think? Editor: Absolutely. I started off seeing a simple domestic sketch and am walking away with more than I bargained for. Thanks for painting a richer story!