Piece I c. 16th century

Editor: This is “Piece I” by an anonymous artist, housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a series of intricate black designs arranged in a grid. What historical context illuminates this piece for you? Curator: Given its format, it looks like a printing block, maybe for textiles or wallpaper. Its anonymous status suggests it was likely produced for commercial purposes, rather than high art. How do you see this object functioning within a broader social context? Editor: Perhaps mass production made art and design more accessible? Curator: Exactly! It democratizes ornamentation, moving it from the elite to the everyday. The very act of its creation and use speaks to a shift in how art interacts with society. Are you surprised by its placement in an art museum? Editor: Initially, yes, but now I see how it challenges conventional notions of art and its role in society. Curator: Precisely. It prompts us to consider the politics of display and value.