Ratisbonne c. 19th century

Editor: This is Samuel Prout's "Ratisbonne," a drawing from the Harvard Art Museums. It feels almost like a quick sketch. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I notice the emphasis on the stone itself. Prout meticulously renders the texture, suggesting a fascination with the materiality of these buildings. Consider also the labor embedded in quarrying, transporting, and shaping these stones. Editor: So, not just an architectural study, but a study of production too? Curator: Exactly. The drawing prompts us to think about the social context of its creation, including labor, industry, and even consumption. Editor: I never thought about a drawing in terms of consumption. Curator: It highlights how seemingly simple artworks can offer complex insights. Editor: I'll definitely consider materiality in other artworks now.