(Man and boy) c. late 19th century

Curator: Today we’re looking at a small sculpture titled "(Man and boy)," created around the late 19th century, attributed to the artist Seiichi. It resides here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, made from ivory. Editor: What strikes me is the joy. The old man’s face is pure delight, as if this child perched on his knee is the greatest treasure in the world. It makes you smile, doesn't it? A tender and gentle narrative, right here. Curator: Indeed. It offers a glimpse into family and social values. The use of ivory as a material is interesting, though, raising questions about production. Who had access to this material, and what did its selection communicate to the viewer about status and trade networks? Editor: That cool, smooth ivory, lends the sculpture an air of serenity, doesn't it? You almost want to reach out and touch it. There is also something about the man's gaze – his attention seems solely fixed on the little one. It's captivating. I get lost imagining what tale he is telling the baby, that elicits that lovely look on both of them. Curator: Beyond the charming intimacy of the subject, consider the carver's expertise. It is an example of exceptional skill in how natural materials are transformed to object of commercial exchange and refinement. And how that small, intricately detailed netsuke might have been produced for consumption within a very specific class of Japanese society. Editor: Netsuke… ah! This tiny, portable art is amazing! Almost an antidote to all this fast disposable culture now... something so intentionally carved. Something meant to be appreciated every day, intimately! Curator: Yes, and tracing the origin of the ivory itself forces us to examine international trade practices, colonial dynamics, and the environmental consequences inherent in such artistic creations. Editor: True, this small and gorgeous sculpture offers an emotional connection and also a stark reminder of the global reach of art production... It is a tiny, smiling world inviting big important thoughts. Curator: Precisely. And through that examination we understand more clearly the labor, materials, and networks embedded in this little sculpture. Editor: It goes beyond simply looking, doesn’t it? More like thinking with the art. Thank you for revealing all that’s nestled in this enchanting snapshot of a late 19th-century paternal smile.