The Smoker c. 19th century

Editor: This is "The Smoker" by Charles Jean Louis Courtry, housed in the Harvard Art Museums. I’m struck by how the act of smoking is depicted. What can you tell us about it? Curator: Consider the materiality of the pipe, the tobacco, even the table. These aren't just props, they are products of labor and trade. How does Courtry elevate these everyday items through art? Editor: So it's about the economic context of these materials? Curator: Precisely. Think about the social implications of tobacco consumption at the time, the labor involved in its production and distribution. The seemingly simple act of smoking becomes a complex network of material and social relations. Editor: I hadn't considered all of that. Thanks! Curator: It changes how we view the piece, doesn't it?