The Connoisseurs 

Curator: Here we have George John Pinwell's "The Connoisseurs" from the Tate Collections. It’s a rather small work, about 114 by 143 mm. Editor: It strikes me as intimate, almost claustrophobic. All those patterns and textures layered on top of each other. You can almost feel the weight of Victorian expectation in the room. Curator: Indeed. Pinwell, working in the late 19th century, was deeply concerned with the social dynamics of viewing art. Note the three women, their placement, and the objects around them. They are assessing not just the sculpture, but each other. Editor: And look at the materiality of it all! The crispness of the drawing against that tapestry-like background, the sheen on the possible porcelain figurine. It speaks to a culture obsessed with appearances and crafted objects. What do you think the artist is trying to convey here? Curator: This piece underscores the social function of art and the power dynamics inherent in the act of connoisseurship within Victorian society. Editor: It's all very carefully constructed. A fascinating glimpse into a world obsessed with objects and the performative aspects of taste.