The Artist in his Studio 1870 - 1873

Editor: Here we see Carpeaux's oil on canvas, "The Artist in his Studio". It feels like a very intimate, almost cluttered space. What strikes you about it? Curator: The visible labor here is compelling. Note the studio's tools and plaster casts, revealing the means of sculptural production. The materiality of the paint itself mirrors the artist’s sculpting process, highlighting the physicality of artmaking. Editor: So, you’re focusing on the process rather than the subject? Curator: Precisely. We see the artist at work, surrounded by the evidence of his craft. How does this emphasis on production impact our understanding of artistic value? Editor: I see what you mean. It shifts the focus from the finished artwork to the work itself. Thanks!