Hercules and Lica, after Canova c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have S. Passamonti's rendering of "Hercules and Lica, after Canova," a small plaster relief. It feels so classical, yet so...mass-produced. What can we read into the choice of material here? Curator: The plaster itself speaks volumes. Reproducing Canova, a master of marble, in plaster democratizes the image, making it available for wider consumption. Think about the means of production; plaster casts allowed for the easy replication of canonical forms. Editor: So, it’s less about high art and more about the accessibility of classical ideals? Curator: Precisely. The transformation of the myth into a commodity, readily available for display and consumption, shifts the focus from the heroic to the reproducible. What does that say about our relationship with these historical narratives? Editor: It changes my perspective to consider it a commentary on production and consumption. Curator: Indeed. The piece prompts us to consider value, labor, and the very materiality of art historical narratives.