Plant Fantasy c. 18th century

Editor: Here we have Jeanne Deny's "Plant Fantasy", an undated print at the Harvard Art Museums. I find the use of peacock feathers quite striking, almost opulent. What’s your take on this piece? Curator: It speaks to the materials readily available, but consider the social context. These feathers were commodified objects, signifying wealth and status. The printmaking process itself made such designs accessible to a wider audience, blurring high art with decorative craft. Editor: So, the choice of material and method challenge traditional artistic boundaries? Curator: Precisely. It compels us to examine the labor, materiality, and even the consumption embedded within its delicate lines. Editor: That's fascinating! I never considered the social implications of the materials. Curator: Exactly, it offers a new way to look at art.