Paperweight c. 1848 - 1849

Editor: This beautiful glass paperweight by George Bacchus & Sons, dated to about 1848, is currently held at the Art Institute of Chicago. The millefiori patterns encased inside are captivating. What stands out to you from a formalist perspective? Curator: Note how the artist contrasts the regular, concentric arrangement of the inner star motifs with the looser, almost floral, patterns at the periphery. Consider how light interacts with the curved glass to distort and magnify these forms, creating a play of visual texture. Editor: It’s amazing how the artist controls the placement of each tiny element within the glass. Does the structure guide the viewer’s eye in any particular way? Curator: Precisely. Observe how the concentric circles draw the eye towards the center, emphasizing the detailed star motif. Also, consider the materiality: the coldness and hardness of the glass versus the implied delicacy and ephemerality of the internal patterns. It creates a fascinating tension. Editor: That's a great point about the coldness of the glass contrasting with the delicate internal structures! Curator: Notice how the semi-transparent outer casing adds depth by refracting light? The artist employs the glass itself as both medium and lens, challenging our perception. The work exemplifies how deliberate arrangement of form can impact our perception and engagement. Editor: Looking at the composition again, I now better understand the way each individual section, color, and placement were deliberate to guide the eye. Thank you! Curator: And I gained new appreciation for its textural complexity. It proves the power of formalism when studying even seemingly simple works of decorative art.