Cobalt Violet 

Curator: Today, we're looking at "Cobalt Violet," a pigment manufactured by F. Weber & Company. It's held in the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It's like a tiny volcano of violet dreams, contained in glass. Makes you wonder about all the color that hasn't been, right? Curator: Absolutely. The industrial production of pigments like cobalt violet had a huge impact, providing artists with new possibilities and influencing the art market. Editor: And yet, this little jar… it feels almost alchemical. Like a potion waiting to be unleashed. Curator: In a way, it is. Before mass production, obtaining certain colors was incredibly difficult and costly, heavily impacting who could create art and what kind of art was valued. Editor: True, true. Still, my imagination just wants to splash that violet everywhere. I wonder what art came from this little jar? Curator: It prompts us to consider the social and economic forces behind artistic expression. Editor: Well, I'm just glad something so pretty exists, factory-made or not.