Goldsmiths' Works 1771

Editor: This print, "Goldsmiths' Works" by Robert Bénard, depicts various ornate metal objects. I'm struck by the sheer labor involved in creating these luxurious items. What can you tell me about the world these objects inhabited? Curator: Well, consider the social context. These weren't just decorative objects; they were products of skilled labor, symbols of wealth and power. Think about the goldsmiths themselves – their workshops, their guilds, their place in the economy. How does understanding their means of production affect your perception of these objects? Editor: It makes me think about who had access to these items and the lives of the people who crafted them. Curator: Exactly. We’re not just looking at pretty things. We’re examining the material culture of a society, the processes of production and the systems of consumption. Editor: I never considered the broader implications of what it took to produce such finery!