Christ at the Column c. 16th century

Editor: This sculpture, "Christ at the Column," is attributed to the School of Germain Pilon. The artist is unknown, but the sculpture is made of silver and wood. The preciousness of the materials surprises me given the subject. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Consider the socio-economic context of production. Who commissioned this piece, and what did the materials signify to them? The silver and wood, the labor involved, weren’t just about representing Christ, but also displaying wealth and power. Editor: That makes me rethink the artist's intentions and the artwork's purpose. Thank you! Curator: Thinking about art as a product of labor and consumption changes our perspective.