Pigs c. 20th century

Editor: This is "Pigs" by Robert John Gibbings, housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. It looks like a wood engraving of pigs in a field, with two figures near a fence in the background. What can you tell me about this work? Curator: The process of wood engraving is crucial here. Gibbings, a master of the technique, used the end grain of the wood, allowing for incredibly fine detail. Think about the labor involved – the precise carving, the repetitive printing. It's not just an image of pigs; it's about the means of production and its relationship to the subject matter. Editor: So the material itself is part of the meaning? Curator: Absolutely! Consider the social context as well. What did pigs represent at the time this piece was made? How does Gibbings' choice of subject matter challenge traditional boundaries between "high art" and the everyday realities of agriculture and animal husbandry? Editor: I never thought about the materials and labor so much! It adds a whole new layer to the image.