Twee mannen in kostuum en met hoge hoed, arm in arm op straat 1875 - 1913

Curator: Allow me to introduce you to an etching by Henri De Smeth, titled "Two Men in Costume and Top Hats, Arm in Arm on the Street," created sometime between 1875 and 1913. Editor: What strikes me immediately is the dynamism. The etched lines give such a sense of movement, almost a dizzying quality, as though we've just caught sight of these men hurrying past. Curator: The artist's focus is quite pointed, reducing the scene to these two figures, primarily defined by the geometry of their clothing. The repetition of the vertical lines from the top hats down the bodies, creates a structured, almost architectonic rhythm. Editor: Indeed, those top hats become like twin pillars of societal expectation. Consider the symbolic weight of formal attire during this period; it signifies a certain level of societal belonging. They are literally and figuratively connected, arm-in-arm—sharing in the social narrative. Curator: But is that narrative straightforward? Look at the almost aggressive etching, particularly to the right. Those rapid lines seem to invade and fracture the subjects themselves. They’re part of the formal composition, yet disrupt any semblance of a perfect image. Editor: I agree. There is almost a ghostly haze around them, suggesting a sense of transience. They could represent, on a deeper level, figures that haunt our collective memory or that appear only ephemerally on our urban landscape. This image presents that which passes and is also a portrait of human social ties and shared experiences in modern life. Curator: This etching invites a reflection on form versus narrative; the sharp angles juxtaposed against suggestions of historical meaning are central to its viewing. Editor: Exactly. De Smeth creates a visual encounter laden with nuanced questions about perception, social memory, and our existence over time.