Voetenbank 1899

Curator: Here we have a footstool by Theo Nieuwenhuis, crafted around 1899. It resides here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: It's unassuming, really. Visually quiet, grounded... a very sturdy-looking square form. Almost humble. Curator: Indeed. The stool speaks volumes about the Arts and Crafts movement. Consider the blend of ceramic and wood—materials celebrated for their inherent qualities, not disguised but elevated through craftsmanship. Editor: It makes you think about labor doesn’t it? I wonder about the societal role of crafted items during this period; was this the start of decorative objects entering bourgeois homes? What does its presence within the Rijksmuseum say about its transformation from a functional object into an object of cultural and artistic significance? Curator: Precisely. Think about the inherent values championed by movements of the time – accessible art as opposed to exclusive work commissioned by wealthy elites, something available through perhaps a cooperative workshop…it speaks to socialist leanings. Editor: And that very simplicity might even be a subtle act of rebellion against the ornate tastes of the old establishment, reflecting a new vision of beauty rooted in functionalism and integrity. The choice of displaying it reflects the institution’s values and narrative about domestic life during that era. Curator: Consider those small, repeating inlaid diamond designs in a darker wood tone, and even the subtle fluting on the legs... the maker takes visible pleasure in these modest details. A far cry from mass production; we witness a focus on meticulous making and the aesthetic value found in common household items. Editor: It makes you appreciate how even seemingly ordinary objects can be powerful messengers of cultural change and the social aspirations that underpin their creation and exhibition. Curator: Absolutely. A little unassuming platform reveals itself as a sturdy soapbox about societal aesthetics. Editor: So true; a reminder that every artifact in a museum carries with it a silent testimony to a culture's evolution, values and struggles.