John Neptune c. 1886

Editor: This is Anna Eliza Hardy's portrait of John Neptune. There's no date, but she was active in the late 19th century. It's an oil painting, and I’m struck by the sitter’s direct gaze. What can you tell me about the making of this piece? Curator: Focusing on the material aspect, consider the labor involved in creating oil paints at that time, along with the artist’s social position which allowed her access to these materials and the sitter. What does this tell us about artistic production and consumption during that period? Editor: So, it's less about the individual subject and more about the economic and social forces behind its creation? Curator: Precisely. By examining the material conditions, we gain insight into power dynamics and challenge traditional art historical narratives. Editor: That gives me a lot to think about regarding the value we place on artworks. Curator: Indeed, it reveals how art is not just a product, but a reflection of material and social relations.