The Dream of Ossian c. 1832 - 1834

Editor: This is "The Dream of Ossian," by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres. It's undated, but it looks like a watercolor on paper. I'm struck by how the ethereal figures contrast with the grounded, almost tactile, rendering of Ossian himself. What is your take on this work? Curator: The tangible depiction of Ossian against the spectral figures invites us to consider Ingres's production methods and the value placed on "high art" versus craft. Did Ingres view his labor as superior to that of a textile worker creating similar ethereal effects through different materials? Editor: That's a great point! So, it questions the hierarchy of artistic labor? Curator: Precisely. It encourages us to investigate the social and economic context of art production and the materials used to shape meaning. Editor: I will certainly keep that in mind when visiting museums.