Day 1870

Editor: This is "Day" by Edward Burne-Jones, a striking painting at the Harvard Art Museums. I am fascinated by the fresco-like quality of the rendering. What are your thoughts on this representation of the figure of Day? Curator: Notice the clear emphasis on material processes. Burne-Jones's choice to mimic fresco techniques speaks to a deliberate engagement with the history of art production. How does this affect our understanding of the painting’s social context and the labor involved? Editor: So, by consciously using this historical technique, the artist is emphasizing the process of making the art itself? Curator: Precisely. It challenges the traditional separation of 'high art' and craft by foregrounding the materiality and the conditions of artistic labor within the painting. And it does reflect the consumption of classical ideals at the time, what do you think? Editor: I see your point. It definitely makes me think about the artist's role and the value placed on different artistic skills. Curator: Exactly! Thinking about this work highlights the cultural values embedded in artistic production, moving beyond just aesthetic appreciation.