The Melodious Fountain Study 1871 - 1933

Editor: So, here we have "The Melodious Fountain Study" created sometime between 1871 and 1933 by Jian Guzhai, a drawing utilizing ink and intaglio on wood. It feels almost like a stamp or a plaque. I’m drawn to the texture of the wood and the almost symmetrical composition of the dragons and text. What do you see when you look at it? Curator: For me, this piece speaks volumes about the process of creation and its socio-economic context. Notice how the ink, rather than being freely applied, is meticulously carved into the wood? It transcends the simple act of image-making. Consider the labour involved; the painstaking work suggests this wasn’t merely about aesthetic expression but about skill, status, and the value placed on craftsmanship. Editor: So, it’s less about the image and more about the making? Curator: Exactly! Look at the materials. The wood itself possesses inherent qualities, its grain, its density which dictate the ink’s absorption. These material qualities dictate the final result, in stark contrast to, say, an oil painting where the artist has greater control through mixing pigment. Do you think the repetition of the dragon motif challenges Western notions of artistic originality? Editor: I never thought about it that way. It definitely reframes how I consider traditional crafts versus fine art. How much is this meant for high art collectors versus more middle class consumerism? Curator: That’s an excellent question. Thinking about the intended market helps us consider if the intent of such plaques/ornaments may have served a devotional purpose, perhaps hung above doorways or incorporated into household altars? Consumption drives production here. Editor: This discussion really changed how I viewed this object, and to look at how labor, process and purpose combine and change what you view in terms of skill and time put in! Curator: Precisely, by shifting focus to the materiality and production we’ve unpacked meanings often overlooked by solely emphasizing aesthetic appreciation!