Hero, Having Thrown herself from the Tower at the Sight of Leander Drowned, Dies on his Body Possibly 1829

Editor: Here we have William Etty’s "Hero, Having Thrown herself from the Tower at the Sight of Leander Drowned, Dies on his Body". It's a powerfully tragic scene, rendered with such tangible flesh. What can you tell me about Etty’s approach to materials here? Curator: Etty's sensuous handling of paint, the very materiality of it, is key. He wasn't just depicting a scene; he was crafting flesh, using pigments ground by laborers, applied with brushes made by artisans. He was engaging with the entire chain of production inherent to creating art. Editor: So, it’s not just the subject, but the means of production that are significant? Curator: Exactly. Consider the societal implications of readily available pigments versus rarer, more expensive ones. The very act of painting becomes a commentary on class and access. Editor: That definitely gives me a new perspective! Curator: It highlights how the creation of art is so deeply rooted in material realities.