Twee heiligenfiguren (waarschijnlijk niet origineel) c. 1520

Editor: Here we have "Two Saint Figures (probably not original)," crafted around 1520, presumably by Jan Geldolfs Hoghenzoon. They appear to be miniature gold carvings. I’m struck by how much the material seems to define their presence; it's so commanding for something so small. What are your thoughts on the materiality of these figures? Curator: The choice of gold is crucial here. Consider its social and economic value in the 16th century. Was this piece intended for display in a public or private setting? Think about who could afford such extravagance, what purpose does it serves, and how this contrasts with, say, a wooden carving intended for broader religious devotion. Editor: So, it's less about the spiritual figures themselves, and more about what the gold signifies in that period? The power dynamics inherent in that material usage, perhaps? Curator: Precisely. Gold speaks to the commission, the patronage, and the labour involved. These are not simply devotional objects; they are commodities, reflective of a highly structured societal hierarchy. How does knowing this changes how you view these figures? Editor: It makes me wonder about the artisanal labour. Were they respected craftspeople, or merely laborers in a gold workshop fulfilling a commission? The sheen of the gold kind of obscures the hands that actually shaped it. Curator: A very important distinction. The medieval workshop was complex. Understanding the divisions of labour allows us to appreciate the multifaceted process of artistic production and social class in that era. These sculptures can tell us about far more than just religious iconology. What social statement are these craftsmen creating through this commission of such a luxurious and limited product? Editor: I see them differently now. Initially, I just saw them as devotional miniatures. But now I understand how their creation and material existence ties into complex networks of production and power. Curator: Exactly! Examining art through the lens of material production gives us a much richer understanding.