Zes lammeren 1913 - 1945

Editor: Here we have "Six Lambs" by Henk Henriët, likely created between 1913 and 1945. It's a pencil drawing, and the sketchy quality makes it feel very immediate and like a study. What jumps out to you when you look at this piece? Curator: For me, the process is key. Look at the varying degrees of finish, the layering of pencil strokes. This wasn't meant to be a polished "art object" in the traditional sense, but rather a working document, a record of Henriët's labor. Consider the societal view of drawing versus painting at that time; drawing was often relegated to the preparatory stages. Editor: So you see it as more about the act of creation than the final image? Curator: Precisely. What was Henriët trying to work out? Was he concerned with form? Perhaps he was observing them in a field. These weren't creatures readily available within the urban setting of a traditional studio. Was he examining how light fell on the wool? Was pencil the most affordable option during this period? It’s more important, what the use of line and shading here tells us about the labor involved. Editor: That makes me consider his choice of subject, too. Lambs...are they a comment on agriculture? Access to food in the Netherlands during the early to mid-20th century? Curator: It's plausible. The presence of these animals speaks to specific material and social conditions. Furthermore, think about the value of sketches then versus now. Sketches now may find their way in institutional collections. At the time, what was their perceived purpose, and what did they signal about the artist’s position? Editor: I never considered the economic aspect of his artistic process! I thought it was just a charming pastoral scene. Curator: Art isn’t created in a vacuum. Reflecting on the tools and resources available to an artist can lead to deeper appreciation and comprehension.