Armed Riders in Front of an Inn c. 1660

Curator: Philips Wouwerman, around 1660, captured this little slice of 17th century life in "Armed Riders in Front of an Inn," now hanging here at the Städel Museum. What strikes you about it? Editor: It has this beautifully composed chaos. People, horses, the inn overflowing with activity – a real hub. But beneath the surface is some grit I suppose from using oil. Curator: Grit indeed! And you've hit upon the duality that makes Wouwerman so compelling. It's a genre painting, full of everyday folks doing everyday things, but executed with the delicate touch you'd expect from, say, a landscape. See how he uses light to soften the edges, create a dreamy atmosphere, even within this bustling scene. I find the social setting is very indicative of leisure in art, Editor: I am caught between this seeming leisure and that descriptor 'Armed Riders.' How are we meant to interpret these individuals given this paradox, are they maintaining order or are they there to stir trouble after a pint of ale? Looking closely, what exactly are they armed with? Curator: It’s ambiguous, isn't it? That’s the genius! Perhaps both at once, keeping the peace and causing unrest after a drink! They seem ready for adventure. To create this Wouwerman built up thin layers of oil, letting each one dry before the next and in my mind, that makes it hard to get that spontaneity of expression. How to make an image full of freedom out of control and rigid materials? Editor: Yes, considering it all now, Wouwerman created these complex tableaus—almost manufactured in the studio from sketches perhaps and rendered to create this idealized notion of how these low countries lived and spent time off from work. Thinking about the materiality is useful as it shows just how important these objects are for us in understanding labor. Curator: Absolutely! The canvas itself speaks to the broader culture. What did Wouwerman intend, or was it shaped by all these subtle touches? That question hangs over it for me. Editor: I think about that tension of material vs. perceived output a lot as it provides some of the biggest talking points around his craft. Anyway, thank you, that’s all for now.