Soap dish 1807 - 1835

Editor: Here we have Ashbil Griswold's "Soap Dish," dating from 1807 to 1835, crafted in metal. It seems so simple, almost austere. I am drawn to the circular form and subtle concentric lines on the lid. How do you interpret this work? Curator: The purity of its geometric forms and its overall composition certainly speak volumes. Observe how the artist employs repetition. The concentric circles draw the eye inward, creating a sense of depth and focused attention. The material itself, likely pewter, exhibits a tactile quality, an interplay of light and shadow on its surface. Do you notice the craftsmanship inherent in the construction, how each line and curve seems deliberately placed? Editor: Yes, now that you mention it, there is great care taken in the making of the object! So, you're saying it’s not just about function; the artistry lies in how those shapes are put together? Curator: Precisely. Formalism encourages us to move past the object's utility and study the organization of elements. The interplay of convex and concave, the lid’s articulation against the body—all these formal decisions contribute to the object's aesthetic value. Its artistic merit lies not in representation, but in the elegance and order of its internal relationships. Editor: That is such an elegant way of looking at things, thank you. It certainly broadens one’s viewpoint when considering utilitarian art. Curator: It’s fascinating to see how much can be said, simply through analyzing the art object’s visual structure.