Gesso d'Oro, 7.7? 

Curator: Here we have an interesting find: a jar labeled "Gesso d'Oro," apparently manufactured by Antonio Buonamici. It’s a peculiar object to find in a museum collection. Editor: It's stark, isn't it? The mundane jar contrasts with the promise of "golden gesso" on the label. Makes me wonder about the labor and cultural capital embedded within that name. Curator: Precisely! Gesso, historically, was the foundation for many paintings, particularly for gilded surfaces. Buonamici's manufacturing company produced gesso for some of the world’s most important artworks. Editor: So, in a way, this jar represents the unseen foundation upon which artistic narratives are built. The “golden gesso” hints at the power dynamics within art history, particularly issues of access and value tied to class and gender. Who had access to these materials? And whose stories were deemed worthy of being elevated? Curator: Absolutely. The jar invites us to contemplate the entire artistic ecosystem and its complex relationship to commerce and social status. Editor: It's a reminder that even the most seemingly neutral object can hold a wealth of social and historical significance. Curator: Indeed. This jar really offers a different perspective on art historical narratives.