Group of portraits framed together c. 18th century

Editor: This is James Tassie's "Group of portraits framed together." The stark white portraits against the dark background are striking. What can you tell me about the material and the labor that went into creating something like this? Curator: Well, Tassie was known for his glass paste, a cheaper alternative to marble. The molds would be reused, making portraiture more accessible, though still costly. How does this democratizing effect change your view of its purpose? Editor: That's fascinating. It makes me think about how access to art and representation shifts with different materials and production methods. Curator: Precisely. The commodification of likeness, the labor involved in repetitive casting… it all points to changing social values.