November 1917

Curator: Here we have Julie de Graag's linocut print, "November," created in 1917. Editor: The immediate impression is a rather muted melancholy, a very different tone from the bright exuberance one usually associates with sunflowers. Curator: Well, considering it's "November," the time of year does lend itself to that. But let's talk about the medium itself. Linocut prints allowed artists like De Graag to explore bold, graphic designs, making art more accessible and reproducible than painting alone. There’s something about the relatively simple process that democratized art production. Editor: Absolutely. It is interesting to view it in terms of democratizing production, especially during the period of the first world war. What role did institutions play in exhibiting these types of print works in 1917? The audience's reception of a common object in that style is intriguing. Curator: The accessibility certainly contrasts with the symbolism and Art Nouveau elements she employs. Notice the stylized petals, the intricate seed patterns... This elevates it beyond just a simple botanical study, infusing it with a deeper, perhaps spiritual meaning. Editor: Precisely. And this piece comes to us from the Rijksmuseum, which has an established canon of Dutch masters. How does that influence our view of De Graag's piece, placed in such a prestigious context? Does it change our perceptions of its value or cultural impact? Curator: Good point. By showcasing works like this, museums are implicitly challenging established notions of what constitutes "high art." It asks the viewer to consider craft, design, and reproduction alongside traditional painting and sculpture. Editor: It suggests a shift in the artistic landscape, blurring the lines between art and design and calling into question what is valued as a form of artistic creation. De Graag’s linocut in November, is much more than what it may seem upon the surface, and that is very captivating. Curator: I agree; thinking about it terms of material production alongside institutional practice helps reveal hidden complexity that enriches it further.