Apollino, after Praxiteles c. 19th century

Editor: This is “Apollino, after Praxiteles,” a small, oval intaglio attributed to the Pichler family. The pale figure seems to float within the stone. How should we interpret the labor involved in its creation? Curator: Well, consider the socio-economic conditions that made such meticulous work possible. Who commissioned it, and what was its intended use? The Pichler family likely had specialized tools and workshop practices. Editor: So, you're saying that the value lies in the labor and the system that produced it, rather than the artistic genius? Curator: Precisely. The piece’s meaning resides in the network of production, distribution, and consumption of such an item. Editor: I never thought of it that way before. It’s interesting to consider the social forces shaping artistic production. Curator: Indeed!