Charity, from the series "Eight Virtues (seated)" early 20th century (original from c.1540-46)

Editor: This bronze circular relief titled "Charity," part of the "Eight Virtues" series, depicts a woman with children. It's quite small, only about 8cm across. What strikes me is the texture and how the artist, though unknown, used the material to create depth. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I'm drawn to the process of its creation. Consider the labor involved in crafting this small object, the skill of the artist in manipulating bronze. Was it cast, chased, or hammered? The materiality itself speaks to a culture valuing both artistry and the virtue it represents. Editor: So, you're focusing on the physical act of making and its connection to the value of charity? Curator: Precisely. How does the artist's choice of bronze, a durable and valuable material, elevate or perhaps even challenge the concept of charity as a simple act of giving? It prompts questions about patronage, value, and the very circulation of such objects. Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't considered – the value inherent in the object itself influencing our understanding of its subject!