Le Sphinx 1937

Editor: James Boswell’s "Le Sphinx," held at the Tate, is quite striking with its monochrome palette and dimensions of 342 by 506 mm. The use of simple lines to depict this busy scene makes me think about the story it's trying to tell. What’s your interpretation? Curator: It points to the socio-economic structures enabling such displays. The means of production and the social context are crucial here. What materials were available, and who had access to them? How does the artist's labor reflect the class dynamics of the time? Editor: I hadn’t considered it from that angle. It's interesting to think about the resources needed to create even a seemingly simple piece like this. Thanks! Curator: Considering the means of production really does change how we view the piece.