Banner; verso: Two Banners (continues on page 13 recto) c. 19th century

Editor: So, this is Edward Burne-Jones's "Banner," a pencil drawing. It's interesting how he captured the folds and movement with such simple means. What's your take on this sketch? Curator: The materiality is key. Notice the artist's attention to the woven texture implied by the pencil work. It highlights the social aspect of banner-making as a form of labor, and how that informs our reading of the image. Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't considered. It makes me think about the context of craftsmanship. Curator: Exactly! How Burne-Jones elevates the craft through the very process of sketching also disrupts our expectations of high art versus the everyday object. We see the making, and therefore, the value. Editor: I see. Thanks for that insight! Curator: My pleasure; a useful reminder that art and craft are more interwoven than we realize.