Fourth of July in Centre Square Philadelphia 1812

Editor: This is "Fourth of July in Centre Square Philadelphia," painted by John Lewis Krimmel around 1812, using oil paints. It depicts a bustling crowd gathered near a grand building. It looks like a pretty chaotic scene. What stands out to you? Curator: Immediately, the scene reveals a staged and meticulously rendered social stratification in materials. Observe how Krimmel deploys costly pigments for the clothing of the affluent, subtly hinting at their financial means. Editor: Oh, I see! So you’re looking at how the *stuff* in the painting tells a story. Curator: Precisely. Consider the architecture itself, the classical building – a demonstration of Philadelphia’s aspiration to European grandeur. And note the people themselves: are their clothes finely tailored or are they mended and simple? Consider also who isn't represented here, which is the laboring class or those on the fringes of society. The materials on view present only one facet of reality. Editor: It is a painting about access… or lack of access, depicted in paint. Curator: A useful way of putting it! Even the very act of creating and viewing this work involves certain materials, labor, and economics. Think about who had access to such paintings. Now, who would clean Krimmel’s brushes? How might *their* Fourth of July celebrations differ? Editor: That puts a whole new perspective on what the artwork is showing... and hiding. I see it not just as a historical snapshot but as a record of the material conditions of that time. Thank you! Curator: Absolutely. Always question the tangible foundation upon which artistic expression is built.