Valour and Cowardice c. 1863

Editor: Here we have Alfred George Stevens' bronze sculpture "Valour and Cowardice." It's quite dynamic, almost unsettling. What story of labor and production do you see embedded in this bronze casting? Curator: Considering the Victorian context, it's crucial to analyze the means of production. Bronze casting, then and now, involves skilled labor. Who were the artisans, and what were their working conditions? This piece isn't just about valour; it's about the social context that enabled its creation. Editor: So, you're suggesting we look beyond the heroic narrative to understand the labor and materiality involved in its creation? Curator: Exactly. Examining the consumption of art during that period also reveals insights into class structures and the commodification of virtue. Editor: That shifts my perspective. I'm starting to see the artwork as a product of its time, shaped by the hands and economy that made it possible. Curator: Indeed. It is a powerful reminder to question the boundaries between the heroic image and the complex reality of artistic production.