Untitled (sheet of paper with six autographs signed in ink) 1862

Curator: This intriguing "Untitled" work presents a sheet of paper adorned with six autographs, signed in ink, nestled within what appears to be a book. Considering the materiality, what do these signatures, as a form of labor and record, tell us about social practices of the time? Editor: It feels very personal, almost like a memento. I wonder, what purpose did these autograph books serve, and how does the act of collecting signatures reflect on class and social status? Curator: Precisely. The paper itself, the ink used, the very act of collecting these signatures speaks volumes about access to resources, literacy, and social networks. The "means of production," so to speak, were not equally distributed. Editor: So, it's not just about the names, but about the social context that made collecting them possible. That’s insightful. Curator: Indeed. Thinking about the labor involved in producing paper and ink, and the time dedicated to collecting autographs reframes how we value this "artwork." Editor: Thanks, I will consider more the implications of labor and materials when I consider other pieces.