Wineglass 1785 - 1799

Curator: This stunning glass sculpture, a wineglass, comes to us from between 1785 and 1799 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It is attributed to David Wolff. Editor: Wow, there’s a fragile, almost ethereal quality about this object that is captivating. The long stem spirals into this almost architectural base, like a crystalline fortress upholding delicate festivities. Curator: Indeed. Let's look at its history. These types of luxury objects signified wealth and sophisticated taste. What might it mean to produce a luxury object like this in a time of revolution and war, in an age undergoing dramatic political transformation? Editor: It is fascinating to juxtapose that idea of revolutionary change with such delicate artistry. Maybe it represents that fragile dance between decay and immortality—you're celebrating life in the shadow of possible loss? The decorative carving—I think it might depict pastoral windmills. What stories could they tell? Curator: They provide important context. The rise of industrialisation threatened existing ways of life, which saw the growth of Romanticism, the cult of sensibility and feeling, a harkening back to supposedly more innocent times. We must interrogate this longing. Whose nostalgic impulses were being reflected and centered? How do race, class, and gender play a role in how we perceive something as ‘innocent’ in art history? Editor: It feels as though each swirl and delicate incision has something intimate to offer. You get a glimpse of its spirit by seeing its social positioning. Is this how objects carry souls? The light catches so exquisitely; the very act of beholding seems a tribute. Curator: Exactly! Art pieces like this offer us unique opportunities to interpret the past, to not just simply behold and admire, but to engage with complex histories that shape contemporary political consciousness. Editor: Looking at it now, it feels more poignant than ever—a reminder that even amidst the most disruptive currents, humanity finds ways to express beauty. Curator: Thank you, this has been incredibly insightful.