Six sides of sedans, two panels, two tripods, two tables to the wall 

Editor: Here we have an etching by Giovanni Battista Piranesi called "Six sides of sedans, two panels, two tripods, two tables to the wall." The intricate linework and geometric shapes feel almost obsessive in their detail. What draws your attention when you look at this piece? Curator: As a materialist, I'm particularly interested in the labor and resources that would be required to produce objects like these. Piranesi isn't just depicting carriages and furniture; he's illustrating aspirational objects, reflecting the consumer culture and economic realities of his time. How would you say the materials and their potential availability speak to you? Editor: It makes me wonder who would actually own these objects? They look incredibly elaborate, something for royalty perhaps, or very wealthy merchants. Is Piranesi commenting on social class here, or just showcasing artistic skill? Curator: He's certainly showcasing skill, but I think there's also a dialogue about consumption and status. These detailed renderings could function as a catalogue, demonstrating what could be produced and acquired given the right materials and skilled labor. It highlights a growing chasm in material possibilities for different tiers of society. Look closely at the varying degrees of ornamentation, are these all things any one person could truly need or want, do you think? Editor: Good point, the level of detail almost feels excessive. Now, knowing this might be related to consumerism during that era, it shifts my perspective quite a bit. Curator: Precisely. Understanding the processes of production and consumption contextualizes the object itself. Editor: It's fascinating to consider art as evidence of its own making and its place within the material culture of its time. Thanks for pointing that out. Curator: And it’s rewarding to find such historical depth through such a drawing.