Morning Glories 1871 - 1873

Editor: This is James McNeill Whistler’s "Morning Glories," likely created between 1871 and 1873. It’s a delicate piece using watercolor and pencil on paper. I’m struck by the pastel shades and the overall dreamy atmosphere. What do you see in this piece from your perspective? Curator: I see a distinct interplay between process and material. Look at how Whistler manipulates watercolor, traditionally a medium of transparency, to create opacity and texture. The paper itself isn't just a passive surface; it actively participates in the image. What social conditions would compel an artist to challenge accepted modes of applying materials? Editor: That’s a fascinating question. Are you suggesting the unconventional application of materials hints at a deeper context? Curator: Absolutely. Consider the industrial revolution: mass-produced materials became more accessible. Simultaneously, there was a growing fascination with Japanese art. Did mass production techniques influence this aesthetic in any way? How does Whistler respond to changes in his cultural landscape and class biases with a so-called ‘fine art’ technique and process? Editor: So, by choosing and manipulating these materials, he’s not just creating an image, but also engaging in a dialogue with the changing world around him. Curator: Precisely! He's commenting on production, value, and the shifting definitions of "high art." The morning glories themselves could be symbols related to ideas on production as well. Editor: That really shifts how I see the work. I was focused on the aesthetic, but understanding the "how" and "why" behind the materials and processes adds so much more depth. Curator: It’s about acknowledging the means of production and their impact on artistic expression. Editor: I will definitely think about the material and labor implications in artwork from now on.