The Two Jars, The Two Crabs 1908

Editor: Here we have Walter Crane’s "The Two Jars, The Two Crabs" from 1908, a drawing with ink on paper. The artwork features whimsical illustrations alongside text. I find the composition really intriguing – the combination of imagery and narrative gives it a storybook feel. What strikes you most about this piece? Curator: Immediately, I’m drawn to the symbolic weight of the objects. Jars and crabs—vessels and creatures associated with the sea, or perhaps the subconscious. Notice the juxtaposition: above, the crabs seem to be bickering, echoed by the jars below afloat in turbulent waters. Editor: It’s almost like a visual proverb. Can you say more about that symbolism? Curator: The poem inscribed beside the imagery offers a crucial key. "Our Friend, Our Enemy"— this line reveals the core dilemma. Water can give life, sustain communities, offer transportation and nourishment. But what else can water offer? Editor: It can also destroy and separate... Curator: Precisely. Water embodies duality – creation and destruction. How does that reading influence your appreciation of this work? Editor: It definitely adds a layer of depth. I initially saw it as a simple story, but now I see a meditation on relationships and inherent contradictions of dependence and independence, and the potential dangers and nourishment offered in the journey. Curator: Indeed! The artist uses simple forms to engage with enduring anxieties that run throughout human experiences, and makes connections visible for us to recognize. Editor: It’s amazing how much symbolism can be packed into what seems like a simple illustration! I'll never look at crabs and jars the same way again. Curator: Nor I. Every viewing is another dip into the symbolic well of this small and intricate world.