Watch 1645 - 1655

Editor: Here we have a stunning 'Watch' made sometime between 1645 and 1655 by Jean Gaspard Du Val. It’s crafted from metal and bronze, and housed at the Met. I’m struck by the incredible detail, and also that it's not just functional, but seems like a statement. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: This piece speaks volumes about the societal value placed on time during the Baroque period. It was a period of scientific advancement where the control and measure of time was becoming crucial. A timepiece like this moves beyond mere functionality. It signifies status. Who do you think might have owned a watch like this? Editor: Someone wealthy, definitely. Probably someone in a position of power to showcase their affluence, considering this is decorative art as much as something useful. The face is quite lovely and intricate. Curator: Exactly. Think about the imagery – the engravings, the materials. The choice to include what seems to be city buildings speaks to larger societal structures and centers of power. Were timepieces typically seen on display? Editor: Good question. I’d imagine not worn like modern watches but, perhaps prominently displayed to signal success and precision within courtly or political life. The owner literally had time on their hands, both practically and symbolically. Curator: Precisely. So the value of art goes beyond just its beauty; it illustrates the sociopolitical dynamics of its time. Editor: I never considered how much social history could be packed into one ornate timepiece. The Baroque period wasn’t something I thought too deeply about. Thanks for pointing this out! Curator: It shows that every art object is rooted in its historical moment. Looking closer allows us a deeper understanding, and, more importantly, expands what is revealed to our world.