Model of a Lifeboat c. 1865 - 1876

Curator: This mixed-media sculpture, dated circa 1865-1876, is entitled "Model of a Lifeboat." Editor: My immediate reaction is one of serenity. The light reflecting off the sails and the precision in the craftsmanship exude tranquility. Curator: The piece brings into focus the production of maritime safety; what strikes me is how such an object serves a dual function—both aspirational, symbolizing rescue, but also highlighting the ever-present threat to those who work on the water. Editor: Yes, but the perfect symmetry! The curve of the hull, the geometry of the sails! It’s almost mathematically pleasing, wouldn't you agree? It adheres to principles of realism but its almost elevated to some perfect state. Curator: Precisely. I'd suggest that considering it from a perspective of labor expands our perception. Think of the collective labor that this represents. The individual that assembled this knew the social structures associated with seafaring occupations, where labour divisions were significant and hierarchial. Editor: I do not refute that, however I still argue for appreciating the formal properties. Notice how the texture of the wood creates contrast with the white paint on the hull. The dark lines on the off white sails work beautifully with the structure of the frame. Its texture is very calming to me, that invites deep reflection. Curator: The use of varied materials is telling: the wood frame, the detailed rope work. Its consumption in middle-class households tells stories about the complex interaction between culture and industry and a celebration of colonial trading in the high seas. Editor: For me, this work of art exists outside of history; its value transcends mere production. The interplay between its lines and shape has almost meditative qualities to them. This particular selection and juxtaposition of shapes invites me to relax. Curator: An interesting analysis— it’s insightful to approach the work on both a material and aesthetic plane, to realize how both reinforce the broader context in which its being observed, Editor: And in considering form and social background together, perhaps, we approach a fuller sense of how people can relate to artwork across eras.