Karikatuur van Mr. S. de Vries Czn., antirevolutionair wethouder voor openbaar onderwijs te Amsterdam, 1910 Possibly 1910 - 1923

Editor: This is "Caricature of Mr. S. de Vries Czn., antirevolutionary alderman for public education in Amsterdam, 1910," a pen and pencil drawing by Theo van Doesburg. It has a really distinct, almost comical style to it. How would you interpret this work? Curator: Well, let’s consider the symbolic language at play here. Caricature, at its core, amplifies certain features to reveal an inner truth, or perhaps a perceived one. Notice the exaggerated ears and moustache. In what ways might they act as cultural symbols? Editor: I guess the oversized ears could suggest that the subject is all-ears, maybe easily influenced? As for the moustache...it's quite flamboyant. Curator: Precisely! The moustache might be signifying power, tradition, or even a kind of old-fashioned conservatism given he was an 'anti-revolutionary'. Consider the time period – the early 20th century was ripe with societal shifts. Van Doesburg uses recognizable imagery to hint at the individual's position within those changing times. Editor: So it’s like he's using these exaggerated features as symbolic shorthand for his political leanings. Were caricatures a common way to express political opinions at the time? Curator: Absolutely. They served as powerful tools to comment on and even shape public perception. These images become embedded within our cultural memory. Even today, they reflect political biases of the era, while also revealing anxieties around authority, progress, and societal norms. What feelings does this image stir in you? Editor: It's definitely intriguing! I find myself more aware of how artists can embed symbolism into even the simplest of drawings. Curator: And how visual shorthand, rooted in history, persists and informs contemporary visual culture.