Een klein meisje laat een zusje uit een kan melk drinken 1871 - 1906

Editor: This pencil drawing, "Een klein meisje laat een zusje uit een kan melk drinken" by Pieter de Josselin de Jong, somewhere between 1871 and 1906, is surprisingly tender. I’m struck by the artist’s use of such humble materials to depict what seems like an intimate moment. What's your perspective? Curator: Considering de Jong's material choices – pencil and paper – in light of the artistic conventions of the time is key. This drawing collapses the boundaries between fine art and everyday practice, wouldn't you agree? It foregrounds the artist's labour, the very act of making, rather than aspiring to some polished, illusionistic ideal. Notice how the visible strokes reveal the artistic process. Editor: I do see that, and I think you’re right. How does that relate to the content, to the image of the children? Curator: Well, think about the context of production. Consider milk and its status as sustenance, readily consumed but also potentially a commodity in a rapidly industrialising society. The tenderness of the drawing might almost critique a commodified relationship to basic needs, don't you think? Consider the materiality of childhood innocence here as crafted, produced even, rather than merely found. What sort of commentary on the human condition does this create in your mind? Editor: That's really interesting. I never thought of it that way! It almost suggests the artist is drawing attention to the constructed nature of childhood. Curator: Precisely! By using these accessible materials to portray a domestic scene, de Jong invites us to examine both the raw materials of life and of art making. The visible means of production are integral to the image’s impact. Editor: It’s given me a whole new appreciation for how materials and technique can completely change the meaning of an artwork. Thank you! Curator: A pleasure! Always remember, art is as much about the making as the seeing.