Eene vischparty 1894 - 1959

Editor: Here we have "Eene vischparty," dating roughly between 1894 and 1959. It's at the Rijksmuseum and the museum metadata describes the work as a painting. This narrative scene unfolds in comic strip style, showing a group’s chaotic journey. What's your take on this piece, what jumps out at you? Curator: Well, imagine stumbling upon a theatre troupe's rehearsal – a bit disorganised, full of quirky characters who might've just wandered in from the street! It’s like stepping into a memory, not perfectly rendered but bursting with energy and human mess. Editor: A memory? Tell me more! Curator: It’s that sketch-like quality, and muted tones, evoking old storybooks, like glimpses into my grandpa’s favorite Sunday comic strip. The individual reactions of the partygoers become the actual art – almost as though the landscape takes a backseat. What’s your favourite scene from their expedition? Editor: That one where they all are pointing fingers, seems like something is about to go down… I also like the scene of that man on top of another trying to win him over. Curator: They look all worked up to me. You could call the composition 'organised chaos'; individual misadventures cleverly strung together and tied in a ribbon…! Editor: A ribbon…nice way to summarize, Curator! Now I see how the artist turns small happenings into big adventures. Curator: Right? Every face carries a secret joke. Makes one wonder, what's their story…