Plaque with Alexander the Great 1775

Editor: Here we have a plaque depicting Alexander the Great, created around 1775 by the Wedgwood Manufactory. It’s a ceramic relief. The sharp profile set against the soft blue is striking! How should we interpret this work? Curator: Focusing on the materials and processes reveals fascinating aspects. Wedgwood, a product of the Industrial Revolution, mass-produced these plaques. Consider the division of labor required and how it challenges the traditional status of sculpture. The very act of replication alters its aura, doesn’t it? Editor: That's really interesting! So, the material, ceramic, and the means of its production impact the interpretation as much as, say, Alexander’s legacy? Curator: Absolutely! Think about the class implications. These were not unique, commissioned artworks for royalty. Wedgwood made them accessible, almost like luxury consumer goods. This democratization, or commodification, of history through ceramic also requires investigation. The neoclassical style reinforces that accessibility. Editor: I hadn't considered the production aspect before. Curator: Furthermore, the pendant size speaks to individual ownership and perhaps even adornment. Is it meant to display wealth or political alliance? This smallness impacts value and collectability. Editor: Fascinating to think about this piece, not just as art, but as a product of labor and industry with political undertones and historical implications embedded in it's manufacture and sale. Curator: Exactly! Viewing it through this lens exposes a whole other level of historical meaning embedded in the tangible elements.