Portrait of a Man c. 1798

Editor: Here we have James Tassie's "Portrait of a Man," a delicate cameo. The almost ethereal quality of the white-on-white relief is striking. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Consider the materials: glass paste. Tassie industrialized cameo production. He cast hundreds of these, democratizing access to portraiture. Who could afford marble? But could participate through consumption and status. Editor: So, it’s less about the individual portrayed and more about the process? Curator: Exactly. It challenges the traditional notion of the unique art object. How does this mass-produced portrait complicate our understanding of artistic value and social class? Editor: That's a fascinating point. I hadn't considered the implications of its production on the art market. Curator: Precisely, Tassie's work compels us to examine how artistry intersects with labor and access.