Candlesticks (one of a pair) 1802

Editor: Here we have a pair of silver candlesticks from 1802, currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. There’s something so austere and elegant about their design. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Beyond their elegant simplicity, I see a reflection of early 19th-century power structures. The neoclassical style, popular amongst the elite, borrowed heavily from ancient Greece and Rome. Can we unpack who in the late 18th century/early 19th would've bought, used and possessed such pieces? What does the consumption of decorative objects convey in that time, politically? Editor: So, you are saying that these weren't just pretty objects, but signals of something larger? Curator: Absolutely. The precise craftsmanship and costly materials like silver speak to economic privilege, while the neoclassical style subtly aligns the owners with notions of empire and enlightenment, echoing power dynamics. Were they patrons of the arts, members of the gentry and nouveau riche flaunting generational wealth or other key figures? Editor: That's fascinating. I hadn't considered the candlesticks in this way. Their functionality seems almost secondary to the statement they make. I guess understanding these things also requires one to study economics and sociopolitical norms. Curator: Precisely! Art exists within layers of context. Considering production, consumption, and reception through various theoretical lenses allows us to see beyond the surface and engage with deeper narratives. I wonder how feminist readings would approach domestic items made from precious metals in relation to women as either consumers and subjects of them? Editor: It really enriches the viewing experience! I'll definitely look at art differently now. Curator: And I learned something, too - never underestimate the importance of aesthetics that are pleasing to the eye, which are fundamental to a beautiful design.