The lady at the morning toilet 

Editor: We are looking at Fyodor Bronnikov's "The Lady at the Morning Toilet," an oil painting. There's something about the draped fabrics and the classical sculpture that feels theatrical. What story do you see unfolding here? Curator: Well, considering this within a Materialist framework, it's fascinating to consider the means of production, right? Oil paint itself – pigments ground with oil, a commodity traded and valued. The drapes aren't just backdrops; they are textiles, the result of labor, potentially from various parts of the world. Look at the implicit class distinctions embodied by the figure and the accoutrements in the painting. The sculpture suggests wealth. What level of society did she occupy? Editor: So, you’re focusing on what the objects themselves tell us about society at the the time? Curator: Precisely. What can we discern from the production of that marble-like basin? Who benefits from this artistry, and under what economic conditions was it possible? Consider that, juxtaposed with what we might imagine of Bronnikov’s own working life, the commodification of artistry in itself... Editor: The layers of labor embedded within a single image are quite stunning. What does the artist's role tell you about labour division at this time? Curator: Exactly, and think too, of the model's position. Female labor was restricted - were they properly credited in such an arrangement? And let's not forget about our consumption patterns! Our sustained focus here underscores our role in upholding such production cycles by partaking in this exchange, wouldn't you agree? Editor: Yes, it’s a lot to consider and perhaps a different view point to come away with! It certainly changed how I view images that romanticise luxury!