Jongeman bij een smederij 1823

Editor: This is "Young Man at a Smithy," a drawing in ink on paper by Moritz Retzsch from 1823. It has this really crisp line work, and almost feels like a scene from a play – maybe a comedy? What strikes you most about it? Curator: It’s got that Romantic era sensibility, doesn’t it? The slightly theatrical posing, the suggestion of a story unfolding. I think it's interesting how Retzsch has used the spareness of the ink to focus our attention. Notice how the light and shadow almost create characters in themselves. The setting feels solid, a little like a stage... a rather dusty stage, perhaps where the blacksmith is readying for the entry of Romeo… Perhaps I’m just a romantic at heart! What do you make of the nobleman? Editor: I agree it looks stagey! He's kind of overdressed to be visiting a smithy. It does strike me how separate the figure is from the action. It is romantic though isn’t it, in that very clear demarcation of class differences… or do you think it might have been made that way, or with this observation already baked into it. Curator: Ah, that’s the question isn't it? Maybe Retzsch is poking fun at the aristocracy’s cluelessness, positioning the refined gentleman in contrast to the more grounded and brutal actions of the craftsmen? It feels like there’s a wink in there somewhere, perhaps some wry humor is to be found when they all are performing on one big theatrical set. Editor: Yeah! That’s true. So it’s almost like the viewer is placed in this privileged position too – of getting the joke. I like that thought. Curator: Indeed! It almost makes one yearn to see more beyond the set, wondering, how much more has the artist hidden for me to discover? Editor: Definitely something to consider as we move on. Thanks!