Laque Fine Garance 

Editor: This is "Laque Fine Garance," made by Le Franc. The pigment inside this jar looks so vibrant. What can you tell me about its significance? Curator: This seemingly simple jar of pigment speaks volumes about art's relationship to labor, colonialism, and the industrial revolution. Garance, derived from the madder root, was historically cultivated through exploitative labor practices, connecting this color to histories of social inequality. Editor: So, the color itself carries a complex history? Curator: Exactly. The industrial production by Le Franc further links it to shifts in labor and manufacturing. What does this pigment signify in the broader context of art history for you? Editor: I never considered the socio-political implications of a color before. Thanks for shedding light on that. Curator: It demonstrates how deeply intertwined art and society truly are.