Goblet c. 17th century

This goblet, residing here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, was crafted by an anonymous artist. Imagine the hands that shaped this vessel, the breath that cooled the glass, and the social context of its creation. In a world often dictated by lineage and legacy, the anonymity of this artisan quietly resists the traditional art historical narratives that favor the named and celebrated. Was this artist excluded from the historical record due to class, gender, or race? The goblet itself speaks of ritual, of gathering, and of the communal act of sharing. Consider the quiet dignity of everyday objects, the stories they hold, and the lives they touch. It reminds us to think about the labor and the lives often obscured in the shadows of history.