Geschiedenis van Reinaert de vos / Histoire de mâitre Renard 1856 - 1900

Curator: Here we have a fascinating print entitled "Geschiedenis van Reinaert de vos / Histoire de maître Renard," dating from between 1856 and 1900, and attributed to Glenisson & Zonen. Editor: My goodness, it’s like stumbling upon an ancient meme! The composition with all those panels gives me such a narrative sensation. Is it a full story told, you think? Curator: Absolutely, it seems to present a complete, sequential tale of Reynard the Fox—a figure from European folklore— told in 24 panels. Notice the details. It seems as though it has some color and each picture comes with some writing in both French and Dutch. This print employs engraving as a printing method and functions as a sort of comic strip, quite innovative for the period. Editor: The engraving technique! Intricate and mass-produced, right? And the material – cheap paper? I imagine this was circulated widely, bringing tales of cunning Reynard to the masses, across social classes. It's amazing how material constraints can really liberate access to artistic forms. Curator: Indeed, it bridges what you might consider ‘high’ and ‘low’ art. Think about the labor involved in the process, too. Consider not just the artistic skill, but the production chain bringing images and stories like this to homes and marketplaces. This feels very aligned with the core of folk art’s mission, don’t you think? It's art made for everyone. Editor: Yes, these images are infused with symbolism! Reynard, the sly trickster, embodies resistance against societal norms, I wonder about the power structures depicted. I think about how someone like Glenisson tapped into popular folklore not just for entertainment, but for perhaps, subtle social commentary too. This resonates still, doesn’t it? It speaks volumes, then and now. Curator: Precisely. From the artist’s perspective, there is something profoundly captivating about seeing the characters playing out their story within those lines, the very constraints seeming to unleash greater storytelling and expression. Editor: Indeed, each of us extracts unique layers of meaning! It's the magic of storytelling through material, form, and character, transcending its era.