Grocer's Shop c. 19th century

Editor: This is "Grocer's Shop" by William Greatbach. I'm really intrigued by the details of everyday life captured here, but the overall mood seems a bit ambiguous. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The scales dominate our view, don't they? They are a potent symbol, representing balance, judgement, and fairness in transactions, of course. But I wonder, what else might be weighed in this setting? Editor: Perhaps social standing or the weight of expectations within the community? Curator: Precisely. Greatbatch invites us to consider the hidden weights and measures within what appears to be a simple commercial exchange. It’s a subtle commentary. Editor: I didn't think about it that way. Thanks, now I see so much more than just a snapshot of daily life.