Gentlemen and Horses 1952

Editor: So, this is Marino Marini's "Gentlemen and Horses," from the Harvard Art Museums. It's hard to pin down a date, but it feels very mid-century. The stark black ink on paper makes it appear both classical and modern. How do you read this piece? Curator: For me, it's about the materiality of the line. Notice how the varying pressure of the artist's hand creates such dynamism. I'd consider the availability and standardization of ink and paper at this time, and how that accessibility fostered experimentation in mark-making. What does the artist's process tell us about the cultural context? Editor: That's fascinating! I hadn’t thought about the social impact of readily available materials. Thanks for the insight! Curator: My pleasure. It's always rewarding to examine the labor and production inherent in a work of art.