Red Mullets c. 1870

Curator: Here, we have Claude Monet's "Red Mullets," a still life residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. The visible brushstrokes certainly grab my eye. Editor: Indeed. I'm struck by how the redness of the fish pops against the cool, almost austere, white cloth. One might consider the socio-economic implications of displaying food as art. Curator: It moves beyond mere representation, focusing instead on the textural qualities of paint, which was part of the Impressionist focus on modern life. I suppose the display of such simple food items hints to a wider audience. Editor: I see the stark contrast as a reflection of market display and the consumption process in nineteenth-century France. The fish, materialistically, transform from living beings to commodities. Curator: Perhaps. Still, the painting is striking in its simplicity and intimacy, prompting viewers to question the art world’s role and its relationship with the everyday. Editor: Yes, Monet is definitely revealing the social implications of materiality. Curator: A fresh perspective. Editor: As always.