Skylight panel from a set of six 1913

Editor: Here we have William Gray Purcell's "Skylight Panel from a set of six," created in 1913. It’s glass, and what immediately strikes me is how the geometric structure interacts with the colored light. It seems so intentionally crafted. What catches your eye in this piece? Curator: I’m drawn to the materiality. Consider the social context: the Arts and Crafts movement deeply valued handcraftsmanship over industrial production. Purcell’s skylight panel, though ostensibly functional as architecture, elevates the artisan’s labor through meticulous glasswork and design. Editor: So, it's more than just a skylight, it's making a statement? Curator: Exactly. The grid, the muted greens and yellows – how does this relate to other art movements of the time? It seems to bridge decorative art and architecture, where the process of creating something by hand is part of the final work. Editor: I see that now. So, would understanding how glass was manufactured at that time deepen our appreciation for the artisan’s role? Curator: Absolutely! Thinking about the selection of the materials available, the challenges of cutting and assembling glass precisely – all highlight the skilled labor that Purcell, as architect, orchestrates. Did the people who inhabit that architectural space understand this at that time, I wonder. How was such artwork consumed in everyday life? Editor: That's a perspective shift for me. I usually look at the aesthetics first, but thinking about the labor and the social message adds so much more. Curator: Material conditions shaped aesthetic choices, always! By looking at materiality, we reveal stories about culture and craftsmanship. It's not simply decoration, but a testament to value system around artistic production. Editor: I will definitely look at art differently now! Thank you.