Detail of a Griffin, Tomb of Khety 2140 BC

Editor: Here we have a coloured pencil and ink drawing from around 2140 BC. It’s titled "Detail of a Griffin, Tomb of Khety," and was created by Nina de Garis Davies. It has such an interesting illustrative quality. What stands out to you about it? Curator: Immediately, I’m drawn to the labor involved. Consider the pigments, the gathering and grinding, the crafting of the brushes themselves. This wasn’t just an image; it was an investment of significant resources and time. And how does the materiality of the tomb itself—the stone, the environment—affect the longevity and legibility of the work? Editor: That's fascinating! I hadn't thought about the actual process of creating the colors. How does that influence how we see the work today? Curator: It forces us to consider the socio-economic implications. Who commissioned this? Who benefitted from this labor? Was the artist a craftsperson, highly valued, or simply another worker? Even the griffin itself—is it simply decoration, or does its materiality—being *placed* there through labour--imbue it with a power linked to production? Editor: So, it's not just about what the griffin *represents* symbolically, but how it was physically brought into existence within this tomb, right? Curator: Precisely. The *means* of production informs the *meaning* itself. Think about the difference if this was hastily scratched into the wall versus meticulously painted. What different readings emerge? Editor: I see. It shifts the focus from just artistic intention to the social context of its making. I'll definitely look at art differently now. Curator: Excellent. Looking at the 'how' and 'why' something was made reveals layers of history often overlooked.