[no title] c. 1893

Editor: This intriguing black and white print, of unknown title by Charles Ricketts, features stark contrasts and what appears to be a figure gazing into water. It feels almost theatrical in its staging. What draws your eye? Curator: Notice how the artist's hand meticulously renders texture. Consider the labor invested in the cross-hatching, mimicking the natural world. How does this intensive production relate to consumption and value in the art market of his time? Editor: So, you are saying the value isn’t just the image but in the time and work creating it? Curator: Exactly. The printmaking process itself, a form of reproduction, raises questions about originality and accessibility. Editor: That gives me a lot to think about! I never considered the labor aspect so closely. Curator: Focusing on materials and production methods changes how we value art.