Twee voeten in sandalen 1773

Editor: Here we have "Two Feet in Sandals," a pencil drawing on paper from 1773, by Jean-Francois Janinet, residing in the Rijksmuseum. It feels like a classical study, very academic. What's your take on this? Curator: Well, first, look at the *means of production.* This isn't just a depiction of feet, but an exploration of labor – the artist's labor. We have paper, pencil, and the skill required to create these images. Editor: Skill, definitely. It's so detailed. Curator: Exactly! The detail elevates the quotidian: feet in sandals! And the *paper* itself...what kind of paper was used? Where was it sourced? These details locate the work within specific economies of art and craft. Notice too, one foot is heavily defined while the other is lightly sketched; that conscious use of materials speaks volumes about the making and consumption of academic art. Editor: So, you're thinking about how materials shaped the artist's choices? Curator: Precisely. Think about the availability, the cost, the artist’s workshop setup. Every mark is a consequence of those material conditions. The pencil, even: Where did the graphite come from? How was it processed? What kind of clay was added, if any? Editor: I never really considered all that went into it! The focus on production reveals how seemingly simple art relies on complicated processes. Curator: Right, we need to reconsider that artificial boundary between the 'high' art and mere 'craft'. It pushes us to examine the labor, the materials, the economies and even the social standing related to art's production. Editor: That really broadens my perspective, thank you! I now see it in a totally new light.