Klein Duimpje 1894 - 1959

Editor: This is "Klein Duimpje," created sometime between 1894 and 1959, and currently residing in the Rijksmuseum. It seems to be a page from a comic strip, done in ink and print on paper. The linear quality of the figures and somewhat muted color palette give it an antiquated feel. What strikes you most about the composition of this work? Curator: The layout immediately directs our gaze. The artist’s employment of serial panels invites a sequential reading, akin to a narrative unfolding visually. Notice how the lines, rendered in ink, delineate the figures, creating a clear separation within the space. The use of hatching and cross-hatching creates volume and shading. What do you make of the palette? Editor: I see how the hatching defines form. The palette feels intentionally subdued, a limited range of colors that adds to that sense of distance. The absence of strong contrasts flattens the image, in a way. Is that a deliberate choice? Curator: Indeed. Observe the conscious deployment of a restricted color scheme—primarily pastel shades. This deliberate underplay intensifies the composition’s structural components. Also consider, the narrative elements—are they equally important to the artistry displayed within each of the boxes that makeup the overall picture? Editor: That’s interesting. The story does seems secondary. The panels' formal construction, the interplay of line and limited color, it's all quite sophisticated for a 'comic strip.' Thanks for making me consider this at a more fundamental level. Curator: Precisely. By isolating the structural elements, we can engage with the work's artistic intention, beyond merely narrative considerations, adding depth and nuance to our understanding.