Cottages in France 1882

Editor: This drawing, "Cottages in France" by Charles Herbert, showcases a quaint village scene. The thatched roofs seem heavy, almost pressing down. What strikes you about it? Curator: The drawing’s materiality speaks volumes. Herbert's deliberate use of pencil and paper—common, accessible materials—democratizes the art-making process. Consider the social context: How does this unpretentious medium reflect the lives of the inhabitants depicted? Editor: So, it's less about high art and more about representing everyday life through common materials? Curator: Precisely. The labor involved in creating both the artwork and the structures within it is highlighted through this very materiality. What does it tell us about the consumption and production cycles of the time? Editor: That's a new way of looking at it. I will consider the labor next time.