Life of Saint Denis, after a Medieval Manuscript c. 1876s

Curator: This is Charles Herbert’s "Life of Saint Denis, after a Medieval Manuscript," a piece reflecting historical production techniques. Editor: It's like a dream, so still yet full of strange energy. I see echoes of illuminated manuscripts, yet something feels... different. Curator: Indeed. Herbert is engaging with medieval aesthetics, but the means by which he does so, his specific choice of materials and methods, speak to his Victorian context. Editor: Right, it's this dance between reverence and reinvention, a conversation across time. What was the function of the original manuscript? Curator: Likely devotional, part of a book of hours maybe. Herbert re-presents that for a different audience, emphasizing the aesthetic and historical. Editor: So, it's not just about faith but also about craft and cultural legacy. I love the pale blues and reds—they feel like whispers from a forgotten age. Curator: Exactly. Herbert transforms a functional, devotional object into an art object, opening up questions about value and our relationship with the past. Editor: I think it reminds me how art acts as a bridge, connecting us to stories and sensibilities that might otherwise remain lost.