Pierre Simon 1694

Editor: This is Gérard Edelinck's portrait of Pierre Simon, I believe created sometime around 1640. The material detail is just astounding. What do you make of this piece? Curator: The opulence of the clothing and wig isn't just about aesthetics; it's about the social capital embedded in the material. Consider the labor involved in producing that lace, that wig, the very paper this portrait is printed on. Editor: So, you're saying the material itself tells a story? Curator: Exactly. Every thread, every mark signifies a complex web of production, consumption, and ultimately, social standing. It makes you wonder about the relationship between the artist and his subject, doesn't it? Editor: Absolutely. I never thought about it that way before. Curator: Thinking about the means of production brings us closer to understanding the art's function.