Dodenwake en dodenmis in de rooms-katholieke kerk 1724

Editor: So, this is Bernard Picart’s “Dodenwake en dodenmis in de rooms-katholieke kerk,” from 1724, housed in the Rijksmuseum. It depicts scenes from a Catholic wake and funeral mass. I'm struck by how detailed and documentary it feels, like a snapshot of a specific ritual. What do you see in this piece, considering its historical context? Curator: What jumps out to me is how Picart is documenting, and arguably commenting on, the public spectacle of death in 18th-century society. It's important to remember that funerals weren't just private affairs; they were carefully staged events, performances of social status and religious piety. Editor: That’s interesting. A performance, even in death? Curator: Absolutely. Look at the elaborate clothing, the positioning of figures, and the setting – it’s all designed to project power and maintain social order. Notice, also, where the event is taking place: “at the gates,” that is, at a public and institutional border. How does Picart choose to portray the people involved? Editor: Well, everyone seems very composed, very formal. It’s a stark contrast to how we typically grieve today. Do you think Picart was trying to critique this display, or simply record it? Curator: I think it's both. On one hand, he’s capturing a vanishing tradition. On the other, he subtly reveals the politics embedded within religious ritual, perhaps questioning the sincerity behind the elaborate displays. Consider, also, that the artist may well be reacting to and actively documenting the increasing commercialisation and marketing of such rites and the theatricality they took on as a result. What do you think, has it given you a wider view? Editor: Yes, definitely. It’s fascinating to think about funerals as these carefully constructed displays of power and social standing, not just personal moments of grief. It gives me so much food for thought about our own modern rituals! Curator: Indeed! It highlights the vital public and often very deliberate function art plays within cultural, political and marketing trends throughout time.