Verschillende voorstellingen c. 1828 - 1913

This collection of small scenes, made by Erve Wijsmuller, presents us with a fascinating array of social and cultural moments, captured through the popular medium of prints. Notice the figure of the fool. This archetype transcends time. Here, he juggles coins, a symbol of precarious fortune. This image connects to the medieval court jester, a figure of both entertainment and truth. The fool, like the ancient Roman saturnalia, reminds us of the world turned upside down. It echoes through commedia dell’arte and even resurfaces in modern-day clowning. Observe how the fool’s exaggerated gestures and unstable footing stir a primal part of our psyche. These images tap into our collective anxieties and desires, and their continued reemergence speaks to the cyclical nature of human experience. The jester is a reminder of the thin line between wisdom and madness, control and chaos. It is a powerful force that continues to engage viewers on a subconscious level.