Candlestick c. 17th century

Editor: Here we have a brass candlestick, probably from the 17th century, currently held at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. It strikes me as possessing an impressive verticality and carefully crafted form. What draws your attention from a formal perspective? Curator: Indeed. Focusing on the intrinsic visual elements, we observe a piece dominated by verticality. The eye is drawn upwards, tracing the interplay of cylindrical and spherical forms, all resting upon a square base. Consider the deliberate juxtaposition of these geometric shapes and how that influences your perception. Do you notice the subtle variations in the surface texture, indicative of the carving process? Editor: Yes, the different textures create subtle light effects and make the design more dynamic. The combination of circles and squares feels classical, almost like an ancient column. Curator: Precisely. Furthermore, consider how the interplay between positive and negative space, the solid brass versus the air around it, contributes to the overall aesthetic. The repeated shapes – the spheres, the ridges, even the flares – act as visual rhymes that create a satisfying rhythm. Observe how the square base is itself tiered. Note too, that the piece has been cast from more than one element – see where it has been fitted together around the middle of the main pillar. The material itself – brass – presents with both a warm lustre and potential for delicate treatment, a characteristic the artist has utilized well. Editor: So it’s the relationships between these shapes and the contrasts of the medium itself that generate its visual power. I had never considered all of those formal relationships individually before. Curator: Paying close attention to these relationships yields new understandings. What do you make of the relationship between texture and light? Editor: That contrast emphasizes specific features while subtly concealing others; a delicate but critical balance, I suppose. Curator: A fine way to reflect upon it!