Sand Casting 1767

Curator: This is Robert Bénard's "Sand Casting," a monochromatic print housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My first impression is that it feels very technical, like a page from an instructional manual. Curator: Precisely. Bénard meticulously presents the step-by-step processes involved in sand casting, showcasing tools and stages. The composition is quite rational, wouldn't you say? Editor: Indeed, but I wonder about the accessibility of this knowledge. Who had access to these techniques, and how were they shared? Was it a privileged skill? Curator: It's certainly a window into the historical division of labor and knowledge. The print reveals the intricate dance between artistry and industry. Editor: Yes, reflecting on how specialized skills were valued and disseminated within specific social structures. Food for thought.